CIVICS IN SEPTEMBER! ��SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�
Learn more about some of the individuals responsible for the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
GEORGE WASHINGTON
“His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision.”
- Thomas Jefferson about George Washington
Learn more about George Washington
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
ABIGAIL ADAMS
“Justice, humanity and Benevolence are the duties you owe to society in general.”
- Abigail Adams to her son, John Quincy Adams
Learn more about Abigail Adams
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
“When a broad table is to be made, and the edges of planks do not fit, the artist takes a little from both, and makes a good joint. In like manner, here, both sides must part from some of their demands, in order that they may join in some accommodating proposition.”
- Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention debate, June 30, 1787
Learn more about Benjamin Franklin
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
CRISPUS ATTUCKS
“He is one of the most important figures in African-American history, not for what he did for his own race but for what he did for all oppressed people everywhere. He is a reminder that the African-American heritage is not only African by American and it is a heritage that begins with the beginning of America.” - James Neyland, Historian
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SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
JOHN ADAMS
“If you meddle with political subjects, let me Advise you to never lose sight of Decorum. Assume a Dignity above all Personal Reflections: and avoid as much as possible a Party [partisan] Spirit. The true Interest and honor of your Country should be your only Object.”
- John Adams to his son, John Quincy Adams
Learn more about John Adams
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
THE SONS OF LIBERTY
“Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.”
- Samuel Adams from “The Rights of the Colonists” pamphlet
Learn more about the Sons of Liberty
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
JAMES MADISON
“The Constitution of the United States is a Constitution of limitations and checks. The powers given up by the people for the purposes of Government, had been divided into two great classes. One of these formed the State Governments; the other, the Federal Government.”
- James Madison, House of Representatives discussion, 1796
Learn more about James Madison
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
MERCY OTIS WARREN
“Almost every tongue is calling
on the justice of heaven to
punish the disturbers of the
peace, liberty, and happiness of their country.”
- Letter to Mrs. Macauley, 1775
Learn more about Mercy Otis Warren
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
“The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the sold basis of the consent of the people. The streams of national power ought to flow from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority.”
- Federalist #22
Learn more about Alexander Hamilton
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
GEORGE MIDDLETON
“Freedom is desirable, if not, would men sacrifice their time, their property and finally their lives in the pursuit of this?”
- George Middleton from an anti-slavery pamphlet he co-authored with Prince Hall
Learn more about George Middleton
Flag given to George Middleton and his troops recognizing their service in the American Revolution
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
PATRICK HENRY
“I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.”
“…give me liberty, or give me death!”
- Patrick Henry, 1775
Learn more about Patrick Henry
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
PHILLIS WHEATLEY
Celestial choir! enthron’d in realms of light,
Columbia’s scenes of glorious toils I write.
While freedom’s cause her anxious breast alarms,
She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.
- From His Excellency General Washington, by Phillis Wheatley
Learn more about Phillis Wheatley
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
THOMAS JEFFERSON
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
- Declaration of Independence
Learn more about Thomas Jefferson
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS�#AMERICANFOUNDERSMONTH
JUDITH SARGENT MURRAY
"The idea of the incapability of women, is, we conceive, in this enlightened age, totally inadmissible; and we have concluded, that establishing the expediency of admitting them to share the blessings of equality, will remove every obstacle to their advancement.”
- The Gleaner, 1798
Learn more about Judith Sargent Murray
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
GEORGE MASON
“In all our associations; in all our agreements let us never lose sight of this fundamental maxim – that all power was originally lodged in, and consequently is derived from, the people.”
- George Mason, 1775
Learn more about George Mason
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
AND SO MANY MORE…
SEPTEMBER IS AMERICAN FOUNDERS’ MONTH�FIND OUT ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
HONORING THE FOUNDERS LEGACY
“It was not the mere matter of the separation of the colonies from the mother land; but something in that Declaration giving liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time. It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights should be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance. This is the sentiment embodied in that Declaration of Independence.”
-Abraham Lincoln, Speech at Independence Hall, February 22, 1861