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John Hancock
In 1765, John Hancock entered politics when he was elected a Boston selectman. The following year, he won election to the Massachusetts colonial legislature. In 1774, John Hancock was elected president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, which declared itself an autonomous government. Hancock’s revolutionary activities made him a target for British authorities. In 1776, as president of the Continental Congress, Hancock is credited as the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. -
John Trumbull Sr.
Over the decades, Trumbull developed a trading business. By the 1760s, Trumbull's business was successful. However, in 1766 he began to suffer losses in trade and by 1769 he was bankrupt and retired from business. The General Assembly of Connecticut elected Trumbull governor in 1769. In 1775, Trumbull was the only governor to support the position of the colonies. He supplies Washington with basic necessities during the war. Trumbull remained in the governor until he retired in 1784. -
John Peter Muhlenberg
During the early years of the Revolution Muhlenberg became a follower of patriot Patrick Henry. His contributions to the revolution included service as the chair of the Committee of Safety in Virginia's House of Burgesses and the Virginia's provincial convention in 1776. From 1776 to 1783, he served in the Continental Army as a Major-General. Shortly after, Muhlenberg, anti-Federalist, was elected a Pennsylvania representative to the U.S. Congress, from 1789 to 1795 and from 1799 to 1801. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is the statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Declaration was a list of grievances of why the colonists wanted to separate from Britain. It also listed the governments purpose to protect the citizens right to overthrow the government. The process of consideration and revision of Jefferson’s declaration lasted from July 3 to finally July 4, during which Congress deleted and revised some one-fifth of its text. -
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Rush was active in the Sons of Liberty in Philadelphia during 1773. In June of 1776 he was elected to into the provincial conference to send delegates to the Continental Congress to represent Penn. then signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1789 he wrote in Philadelphia newspapers about adopting the Federal constitution. He was then elected to the Pennsylvania convention which adopted that constitution. He was appointed treasurer of the US Mint where he served from 1797 to 1813. -
Charles Carroll
Charles Carroll e was appointed as a delegate to the convention to write Maryland’s State Constitution and Declaration of Rights. Charles Carroll was one Marylander to sign the Declaration of Independence. By 1800, Carroll had retired from politics to concentrate on his business. Considered the largest slaveholder at the time, owning nearly 500 blacks, he became president of the American Colonization Society seeking to solve America’s slave problem by resettling them in Africa. -
"E Pluribus Unum"
"Out of many, one". E pluribus unum is the motto suggested by the committee Congress appointed on July 4, 1776 to design "a seal for the United States of America." On August 20, 1776, this first committee submitted their Great Seal design to Congress. Although their design was not approved, their motto E Pluribus Unum was selected by Charles Thomson in 1782 when he created the final Great Seal whose centerpiece is the American bald Eagle. -
John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon became a leading member of the Continental Congress and took part in more than 100 meetings. Shorty after signing the Declaration, he responded to a person who argued that the colonies were not ready for independence. Witherspoon commented that it "was not only ripe for independence, but in danger of rotting for the want of it. He became President of the College of New Jersey. While under his leadership, the college rose to become a leading institution of learning in America. -
U.S Constitution
The Constitution established the basic structure of the national government. It established that power rested in people. The writers of the Constitution looked to create a national government strong enough to defend the nations interest. They also wanted to promote general welfare. The new Constitution established a Supreme Court and five new principles; limited government, republicanism, popular sovereignty, federalism, check and balances, separation of powers, and amendments. -
Eminent Domain
In 1789, France recognized a property owner's right to compensation for taken property, which reads, "Property being an inviolable and sacred right no one can be deprived of it, unless the public necessity plainly demands it, and upon condition of a just and previous indemnity." Shortly after the French declaration, the U.S. acknowledged eminent domain in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, which states, "… nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. The Constitution originally mentioned a few individual rights. Ratification was obtained when supporters promised to add a Bill of Rights. It was added to the Constitution to further protect individual rights from government abuse. A list of possible rights was reduced to ten. -
Fifth Amendment
A citizen cannot be deprived if life, liberty, or property without "due process of law". Certain legal procedures must happen before a person can be punished. A person cannot be tried for serious crime without a grand jury. No person can be subject to grand jury. An accused person cannot be forced to say things that will be used against him (self-incrimination). -
John Jay
John Jay was the first chief justice of the Supreme Court. He drafted New York's first constitution in 1777 and then was chosen president of the Continental Congress. He then became U.S. minister to Spain, helping end the Revolutionary War. Jay was appointed the Supreme Court’s chief justice in 1789 and helped shape procedures in its formative years. He averted war with Great Britain with the 1794 Jay Treaty, and served as governor of New York for six years before retiring from public office. -
Alex de Tocqueville and his Five Principles
Alex de Tocqueville named five principles crucial to American success as a constitutional republic. The five principles include, liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and laissez-faire. Liberty is freedom from arbitrary. Egalitarianism is a society of equals. Individualism allows people to reach goals. Populism is the participation of common people in politics. And finally, laissez-faire states the government has a "hands off" approach to the economy. -
"In God We Trust"
The motto was taken from gold coins issued in 1907, causing a storm of public criticism. A legislation passed in 1908 making "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins. Legislation approved July 11, 1955. By Act of July 30, 1956, "In God We Trust" became the national motto of the United States. Several years ago, the appearance of "In God We Trust" on our money was challenged in the federal courts. The Federal Court rejected, and the Supreme Court of the United States declined to review the case.
