Independence Day and Lessons from the Founding Fathers

In a letter to his wife Abagail, on 3rd July, John Adams wrote, “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more…”

Adams set the tone for how the nation’s declaration of its independence would be celebrated across the land for the next two hundred-plus years. Adams believed July 2nd would mark the occasion because it was the day the Second Continental Congress made its formal decree for freedom, yet it was not formally adopted until July 4th and still not signed by most of the delegates until August 2nd, which made it official. That said, July 4th serves as the annual celebration day.

The Founding Fathers 

Thomas Jefferson’s primary authorship of the Declaration of Independence, followed by James Madison’s extensive contributions to the U.S. Constitution displayed unparalleled courage, purpose, character, and imagination, and led to the creation of a framework for a republic that has stood the test of time. Lessons from these great men and the 54 others who signed the declaration abound.

To commemorate July 4th, I compiled quotes from the founding fathers that serve as timeless lessons for us all – no matter where we live. I invite you to pick your favorite and tell us what it means to you.  Quotes

• “Always stand on principle…even if you stand alone.” – John Adams
• “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” – Thomas Jefferson
• “The people are the only legitimate fountain of power.” – James Madison
• “Well done is better than well said.” – Benjamin Franklin
• “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”  – George Washington
• “To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.” – Benjamin Franklin
• “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ” – Thomas Jefferson
• “Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” – George Washington
• “How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.” – Benjamin Franklin
• “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” – Thomas Jefferson
• “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” – Benjamin Franklin
• “Whenever you do something, act as if all the world were watching.” – Thomas Jefferson
• “Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” – Alexander Hamilton
• “The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.” –  James Madison
• “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
• Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.  – Alexander Hamilton
• “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”  – John Adams

Summary

We celebrate July 4th, 1776 as Independence Day in America. Interestingly enough, July 4th, 1826 marks the day John Adams (90) and Thomas Jefferson (83) died. These founding fathers and political rivals passed away within 5 ½ hours of each other. Jefferson died at Monticello and Adams at his farm in Quincy, where his last words were to have been, “Thomas Jefferson survives,” not realizing that Jefferson had died earlier that day.

For those celebrating U.S. Independence Day, let it be a day of gratitude for all the courageous and wise men and women who came before us and for the enduring lessons they shared that live in our hearts throughout the year.

Have you read?
Best CEOs. Best Companies. Richest People (Billionaires). Richest Women (Billionaires). Richest in Each Country (Billionaires).