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John Trumbull SR
John was one of the few Americans who served as governor in both a pre-Revolutionary colony and a post-Revolutionary state. He was the only colonial governer that supported the American cause/side in the revolution. -
John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon was a clergy, represented New Jersey in the continental congress, and signed the DOI. He was also an influential educator, eventually becoming the president of Princeton University, -
John Hancock
Hancock was a representative from Massachusettes, president of the continental congress in 1775, and the first to sign the DOI. He was a major figure in colonial agitation against british rule and was eventually elected the first governer of Massachusettes. -
Charles Carroll
Carroll was a member of the continental congress, and the only catholic signer of the DOI. He was a member of the Maryland state senate and the U.S Senate. -
John Jay
A founding father, John Jay was devoted to the american revolution, served in the continental congress, was a diplomat to england, and the first Chief of Justice of the United States. He was a representative of New York, signer of the DOI, and also helped negotiate the treaty of paris in 1783 that ended the american revolution. -
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Rush was the treasurer of the U.S Mint. He signed the DOI and attended the continental congress. He was a key founding father, education visionary, and renowned physician. He co-founded, with Benjamin Franklin ,the first antislavery society in America. -
John Peter Muhlenberg
John Peter Muhlenberg was a clergyman, a soldier in the colonial, revolutionary, and post-revolutionary war. He was one of the first officially elected U.S Congressmen. -
Declaration of Independence
The DOI is a documented which announced that the 13 colonies no longer considered themselves apart of the Biritsh Empire, but instead as a new nation. -
E Pluribus Unum
E Pluribus Unum is the motto appointed by Congress on July 4th, 1776 to design a seal for the United States of America, translating into "out of many, one." It's explained that the motto alludes to the states and the federal government. -
US Constitution
The first written constitution, the framework of the supreme law. It has become the model of many national consitutions around the world. It established the structure of the federal system and distribution of power between national and state governments. -
Bill of Rights
The Bil of Rights is a document containing the first 10 amendments. It limits the government's power, garauntees personal freedoms, and reserves some power to the states and the public. The BOR is extremely important as it protects these rights from infringment from the government. -
5th Amendment
The 5th amendment mainly protects our rights from being abused by the government. It states that we cannot have our life, liberty or property taken except by due process of the law. It protects us from arbitrary government action. -
Eminent Domain
Eminent domain is the power of the state to take a citizens private property, expropriate property, or a citizens right in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owners consent. The most common uses of property taken by eminent domain are for public utilities, highways, and railroads. -
Alex De Tocqueville
Tocqueville was a french writer who came to America to observe the U.S government and politics. He stated the 5 values that he believed to be crucial to America's success. Liberty: freedom from arbitrary government control. Egalitarianism: Belief in equality, no permanent class structure. Indvidualism: People are free to pursue individual goals. Populism: Appeal to ordinary people. Laissez-faire: No government interference. -
In God We Trust
In God We Trust was adopted as the official motto to replace E Pluribus Unum.
