AMERICA: LAND OF THE FREE
What we know as AMERICA today was once nothing more than a wilderness. Small groups of Indians were scattered throughout the land.
Immigrants began to come to this land in the 1500's, to seek a better life. They saw it as an opportunity to build 'new and better' lives.
They were brave and freedom-loving people, willing to endure anything to be free and have a home. It was their spirit of pride and cooperation that
helped build America to the fine nation it is today.
The first Americans were the Indians. They had been here long before any of our ancestors set foot on the shores. They helped some of the first European settlers survive the wilderness
that they found in this unhabited land. But, the settlers soon threatened the way of life for the indians, and they soon became enemies of the white people.
American Indian History Resources
It was mostly the British that came to the eastern shores of what we now know as the states from Georgia to Maine.
They were under British rule for many years. The British began to put more pressure on the colonies, in the way of laws, in order to control them. This led to the Revolutionary War. The colonists resisted many of the laws, especially those putting tax burdens upon them. The British sent troops into Boston to take over the rebels.
The American Revolution
The Colonies During the Revolutionary War
One of the things passed before the War by Britian was The Tea Act. They had put so much tax on the tea, that the colonists began to smuggle in tea from the Netherlands. In 1773, the British Parliament passed The Tea Act,which enabled the India Tea Company to sell it's tea below the smuggled prices. The Boston patriot, Samuel Adams, in resistance to the tea act, led
a raid on the ships bringing the tea into Boston. The Bostonians dressed as indians, and raided the ships, dumping all the cargo over into the Boston Harbor. This was called the Boston Tea Party.
Boston Tea Party
The Tea Act and The Boston Tea Party
Soon after the end of the War, the colonists wanted freedom, so they declared their independence and formed the United States of
America in 1776.
The Declaration of Independence
Charters of Freedom Exhibit
The colonists of the east and the pioneers over the country began to move across the country toward the west. They faced many hardships - disease, starvation, and often attacks
from the Indians that inhabited the land. This threatened the survival of the United States again. Less than 100 years after the Revolution, eleven southern states withdrew from the
Union. This resulted in the bloody Civil War between the North and the South.
The Civil War
The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War
Civil War Women
Hearts at Home: Southern Women in the Civil War
The Civil War Reenactors Home Page
Although American has faced many hardships, she has grown to be a very powerful nation. Her ideals of equality and opportunity have helped her to grow in prosper. America hasn't always
followed these ideals. From the colonial times until the end of the Civil War, black Americans were slaves. People have faced discrimination on jobs and other areas because of their race or
religion.
Chronology on the History of Slavery 1619 to 1789
Slavery and the Ratification of the Constitution-Mini Edition
America's economic growth has not always been smooth. She has under gone depression periods, which brought the growth to an almost standstill. Many people lost their jobs and their homes, and lived in poverty.
Herbert Hoover on the Depression
America has grown to be a great nation. The United States consists of 48 states on the mainland, Alaska, Hawaii, and The District of Columbia. The District of Columbia was a piece of land set forth by the Nation's government to
house the capital of the United States.
Architect of the Capital Website
Fifty States and Capitals
America has often been referred to as the 'melting pot'. Many people from many nations have come to America, forming a unified culture. Americans have many things in common, such as the language spoken, which is mostly English.
We dress alike through the states, and eat many of the same foods all over the United States. Public education, transporation, and other influences have made us shape a common identity.
Today, we are a nation of freedoms that most nations around the globe don't enjoy. We have the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the freedom to travel without fear. But, on September 11, 2001, our nation faced it's worse fears -
attacks from the outside. On that day, planes were hijacked, two of which were flown into the World Trade Towers in New York City, killing thousands of unsuspecting and innocent people. The Pentagon in Washington, DC was hit, killing more people.
And a fourth plane was downed in Pennsylvania by passengers, who saved doubtless many others on the ground, while losing their lives for their fellow men.
The Day America Cried
Tragedy of a Lifetime - A Christian response
Annie's"List of American Patriotic& Sept 11th Tragedy pages
The First Ladies' Encourager Newsletter - Oct, 2001
"A Nation In Shock" - The Pastor's Study: Special Edition
CNN.com - War Against Terror - Day of Terror
About 60% of our population are religious people. Roman Catholics make up the biggest majority of our society, followed by Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Lutherans and Presbyterians. Religion has played a big part in American history. Many people
came from other lands to escape persecution. The early colonists included Puritans, Roman Catholics, and Quakers.
The First Amendment to the Constitution was adopted in 1791 to assure us of religious freedom.
First Amendment to the Constitution
Baptist.net
United Methodists
Pentecostalism
Assemblies of God Online
Church of God - Cleveland, TN
Lutherans
Presybterian Church in America
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 
AMERICA: LAND OF THE FREE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 
