Patriot Lessons: American History and Civics (Constitution, Declaration of Independence, etc.)

On America 250/Semiquincentennial, learn why understanding the Declaration of Independence is important, especially in these tumultuous times when patriotism is at an all-time low.  Discover why the Second Continental Congress decided to have a Declaration of Independence and how a committee of five of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston were chosen...

Learn how the Declaration of Independence is unique in world history and why it and America are worth celebrating. Understand that it announces our Founding First Principles of the rule of law, unalienable rights, limited government, the Social Compact, equality, and revolution (the right to alter or abolish an oppressive government).  Explore highlights of the 28 grievances, including the King’s...

Commemorate Juneteenth and reflect on its origins, history, meaning, and traditions. Learn about the prevalence and acceptance of slavery in world history (such as in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Athens, Rome, Britain, England, and Europe) and its development in the colonies and the United States. Examine the cruel and barbaric slave trade and Middle Passage across the ocean from first hand accounts. Explo...

Judge Michael Warren’s book, the Declaration of Independence, is available on Amazon at: https://a.co/d/0iuhtrzx The Declaration of Independence forever transforms our understanding of equality, liberty, and the proper role of government. Its revolutionary philosophical framework is the bedrock foundation of the Constitution and our system of self-government. Yet America’s most important document...

We commemorate the brave sacrifices of our fallen soldiers because they gave their last full measure of devotion for our country and liberty. Learn how Memorial Day started as a tribute to fallen Union soldiers in the Civil War. It started through many local efforts and became a national, uniform celebration with the leadership of General Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic. Explore how over t...

Learn the real story of Lexington & Concord on April 19, 1775 and the Shot Heard 'Round the World — which changed America and the world forever. Well before the Declaration of Independence, the British had determined that they would end Americans’ resistance to British tyranny by crushing them militarily. The British believed that they would easily cower the Americans into submission with...

Learn how by mid-December, 1776, the American Revolution was in desperate straits.  Explore that after a series of defeats, the American Army had retreated through New Jersey and was stationed in Pennsylvania — with the British Army across the Delaware River. The Continental Army was on the verge of utter collapse. Overconfident, the British went into Winter Quarters.  Congress gave George Washing...

Learn that the idea of gratitude and giving thanks is an ancient concept for mankind and is expressly elevated in the Bible. Review how days of thanksgiving were originally commemorated in the English colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts, with the English dissenters, the Pilgrims, having the most influential celebrations. In the colonial era, Thanksgiving celebrations were centered on specific e...

Learn why understanding the Declaration of Independence is important especially in these tumultuous times when patriotism is at an all time low.  Discover why the Second Continental Congress decided to have a Declaration of Independence and how a committee of five of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston were chosen to draft it.  Explore why John Adam...

Commemorate Juneteenth and reflect on its origins, history, meaning, and traditions. Learn about the prevalence and acceptance of slavery in world history (such as in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Athens, Rome, Britain, England, and Europe) and its development in the colonies and the United States. Examine the cruel and barbaric slave trade and Middle Passage across the ocean from first hand accounts. Explo...

United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8 provides: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; Review the origins and deba...

We commemorate the brave sacrifices of our fallen soldiers because they gave their last full measure of devotion for our country and liberty.  Learn how Memorial Day started as a tribute to fallen Union soldiers in the Civil War.  It started through many local efforts and became a national, uniform celebration with the leadership of General Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic. Explore how over...

Learn the real story of Lexington & Concord on April 19, 1775 and the Shot Heard 'Round the World — which changed America and the world forever. Well before the Declaration of Independence, the British had determined that they would end Americans’ resistance to British tyranny by crushing them militarily. The British believed that they would easily cower the Americans into submission with...

Learn how by mid-December, 1776, the American Revolution was in desperate straits.  Explore that after a series of defeats, the American Army had retreated through New Jersey and was stationed in Pennsylvania — with the British Army across the Delaware River. The Continental Army was on the verge of utter collapse. Overconfident, the British went into Winter Quarters.  Congress gave George Washing...

Learn that the idea of gratitude and giving thanks is an ancient concept for mankind and expressly elevated in the Bible. Review how days of thanksgiving were originally commemorated in the English colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts, with the English dissenters, the Pilgrims, having the most influential celebrations. In the colonial era, Thanksgiving celebrations were centered on particular ev...

Learn how the mode of selecting the President was the result of a hard fought and contentious Constitutional Convention debate, resulting in the adoption of Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution. Review that the idea of a popular, nationwide election was rejected because, among other things, there were serious concerns that the public would not have sufficient information, and th...

In light of calls for President Joe Biden to step down because of cognition issues and the near assassination of President Donald Trump, its time to revisit the 25th Amendment. Learn about how the original, unamended Constitution addressed the death, removal, or incapacity of the President or Vice President and its three major defects. The original Constitution left gapping holes about under what...

Topics covered: Learn the importance of understanding the Declaration of Independence. Learn why the Second Continental Congress decided to have a Declaration of Independence and how a committee of five of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston were chosen to draft it. Explore why John Adams insisted that Thomas Jefferson draft it, and how the Committe...

Topics covered: Under the Articles of Confederation, the Congress could not levy taxes directly, which was perceived as a great weakness to the federal government. Instead, it had a system of requisitions from the States, and this led to a most precarious financial and fiscal position for the United States, while also endangering the country with foreign invasion and internal civil strife. Article...

Learn the key historical origins, history, and true meaning of the Memorial Day: - What is Memorial Day's Origins? - How can we give it meaning? - What did Pericles, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Frederick Douglass, and others say about memorializing the sacred war dead? Produced by Patriot Week - visit PatriotWeek.org. Check out Judge Warren’s book at www. AmericasSurvivalGuide.com.

Learn the real story of Lexington & Concord on April 19, 1775 and the Shot Heard 'Round the World - which changed America and the world forever: Follow the Patriots and the British during the lead up to Lexington and Concord. Experience the battles first hand. Explore what really happened on Paul Revere's ride. Discover the unsung heroes Dr. Joseph Warren, William Dawes, and others. Fo...

Topics covered: The underlying foundation of the Constitution is the doctrine of enumerated powers.  Enumerated powers means that the federal government only has the authority specifically granted to it in the Constitution - the powers must be expressed (that is enumerated). All powers not granted to the federal government, remain with the States. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution details t...

Review the origins and debate over the lawmaking provisions of Article I, Section 7 of the United States Constitution. Understand how bicameralism (the division of the federal legislature between the House of Representatives and the Senate) is essential for liberty and good governance for several reasons. It stops passion or corruption from running wild, which can much more easily happen in a sing...

Learn how by mid-December, 1776, the American Revolution was in desperate straits.  Explore that after a series of defeats, the American Army had retreated through New Jersey and was stationed in Pennsylvania — with the British Army across the Delaware River. The Continental Army was on the verge of utter collapse. Overconfident, the British went into Winter Quarters.  Congress gave George Washing...

Learn that the idea of gratitude and giving thanks is an ancient concept for mankind and expressly elevated in the Bible. Review how days of thanksgiving were originally commemorated in the English colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts, with the English dissenters, the Pilgrims, having the most influential celebrations. In the colonial era, Thanksgiving celebrations were centered on particular ev...