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

Juneteenth — Origins, History & Meaning

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. Explore how some Founding Fathers such as Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Alexander Hamilton opposed slavery, and George Washington emancipated his slaves. Learn how Thomas Jefferson trembled for the future of the country because of slavery, and how he banned slavery in the Northwest Territory and signed the law banning the slave trade in America.  Learn how the opposition to slavery led to sharp divisions in the country, eventually exploding into the Civil War. Review how President Abraham Lincoln shifted his original position and supported the emancipation of the slaves as a wartime measure, and implemented emancipation through the first and final Emancipation Proclamations. Learn how the final Emancipation Proclamation only freed those enslaved by the Confederate States of America. Learn how many enslaved first learned of the Emancipation Proclamation for the first time on June 19, 1865 by virtue of Union General Gordan Granger General's Order No. 3 issued in Galveston, Texas after the Union army occupies the city, but only after the 25th Army Corps — primarily composed of African American Union troops — liberate Galveston. Review how slavery was finally abolished through the ratification of the 13th Amendment and treaties with Native American tribes (who held slaves) such as the Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw. Explore how June 19 becomes a new celebration - called Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, and finally Juneteenth - and the celebration spread across the nation, and was finally recognized as a federal holiday in the wake of the George Floyd killing in 2021.  Listen to several Juneteenth Presidential Proclamations by Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. Focus on how commercialism is starting to creep into the Juneteenth celebrations. Highlights include Christina Snyder’s book Slavery in Indian Country, The Changing Face of Captivity in Early America,  Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa), the Great Awakening, chattel slavery, Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, Eli Whitney & the cotton gin, Missouri Compromise, Bleeding Kansas, Lincoln Douglas debates, "A House Divided" Abraham Lincoln speech, presidential election of 1860, Declaration of Independence, abolitionists, Fort Sumter, Civil War, Grand Army of the Republic, Horace Greeley, Gideon Wells, William Seward, Antietam, Gettysburg Address, Lincoln First Inaurual Address, Lincoln Second Inaugural Address, Richard Hofstadlter's American Political Tradition, bill of lading, General Robert E. Lee, Appotomattox Court House, CSS Shenandoah, Union General Gordan Granger General Order No. 3, and much more. To learn more about America & Patriot Week, visit www.PatriotWeek.org. Our resources include videos, a TV series, blogs, lesson plans, and more. Check out Judge Michael Warren's new book, The Revolutionary Words that Forged America - The Definitive Guide to the Declaration of Independence (Republic Books 2026).

The Revolutionary Words that Forged America-The Definitive Guide to the Declaration of Independence

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 is largely forgotten, misunderstood, and even attacked—fueling a crisis in the American spirit that threatens the nation’s very survival. Marking its 250th anniversary, in The Revolutionary Words that Forged America, Judge Michael Warren provides a line-by-line (often word-by-word) analysis of America’s charter—its drafting, historical circumstances, underlying philosophy, and legal force. He contrasts the Founders’ beliefs and aspirations with their opposites throughout world history—including communism, fascism, royal despotism, dictatorships, and caste societies. This book also provides a sorely needed review and thorough analysis of the Declaration’s twenty-eight grievances. Without the grievances, the rest of the Declaration is just a beautiful, empty shell of wonderful poetry. Americans are rebelling against a bloody tyranny, and the grievances explain why. Many of the issues that confront the Founders in 1776 echo throughout the ages— including today. This deep and illuminating review paves the way for restoring America’s First Principles of the rule of law, unalienable rights, limited government, the Social Compact, equality, and the right to alter or abolish oppressive government. The time has come to reclaim the Declaration and save the very idea of America—and this is the definitive guide. Endorsements “As Judge Warren notes in this excellent treatise on America’s beginnings, the greatest threat to our country’s future comes from within. Too many Americans have lost touch with the vision and principles our Founding Fathers laid out in the Declaration of Independence. After 250 years, it’s more important than ever. This should be a must-read for every American.” ––Ingrid Jacques, National Opinion Columnist, USA Today “By reacquainting Americans with the Declaration of Independence, Judge Warren explains the ‘foundation of our freedoms’ and why America is truly the ‘last best hope on Earth.’ Revolutionary Words is both magisterial and accessible; timely and enduring; written for the scholar and for the citizen; and brings new life to the Declaration and new perspective to the Constitution. A remarkable revisitation of our nation’s heritage.” ––Stephen Markman, Retired Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court “Many authors have sought to interpret the Declaration of Independence. Most have attempted to do so by analyzing its themes and values. Only a few have addressed every word in text. None has done so with the clarity, vision, historical appreciation, and judicial perspective of Judge Michael Warren. True to the first principles of natural rights and limited government, Judge Warren has given us a standard against which other works will now be measured; and soon to be a regarded as a classic.” ––Judge Andrew P. Napolitano, TV Commentator, and New York Judge Michael Warren’s book, the Declaration of Independence, is available on Amazon at: https://a.co/d/0iuhtrzx

Memorial Day — Origins, History & Meaning

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 time, Memorial Day was the setting for brilliant speeches and commemorations, and changed to include all war dead during World War I. Review how more recently, a 1 minute silent Moment of Remembrance has been added to Memorial Day, which occurs at 3:00 pm local time. The future of our country and freedom rests with us to carry on their supreme sacrifices, and to failure to remember that could lead to our doom. Highlights include statistics about America’s war dead, Pericles, Thucydides, Abraham Lincoln, the Gettysburg Address, David Wills, Edward Everett, Patriot Week, Leah Warren, Arlington National Cemetary, Major General John Logan, the Grand Army of the Republic, Logan’s General Order No. 11, President James Garfield, Frederick Douglass, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Decoration Day, John McCrae, We Shall Not Sleep, a/k/a In Flanders Fields, Mania Michael, Ladies Home Journal, Armistice Day, veterans Day, Uniform Monday Holiday Act, National Moment of Remembrance Act, Carmella LaSpanda, President Bill Clinton, and many others. To learn more about America & Patriot Week, visit www.PatriotWeek.org. Our resources include videos, a TV series, blogs, lesson plans, and more. Check out Judge Michael Warren’s new book The Revolutionary Words that Forged America - The Definitive Guide to the Declaration of Independence (Republic Books 2026) and America's Survival Guide, How to Stop America's Impending Suicide by Reclaiming Our First Principles and History at amazon, or other major on-line retailers. Join us! SUPPORT:

Lexington & Concord - The Shot Heard 'Round the World - April 19, 1775 (Re-release)

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 a decisive military strike and the arrest of some of the leaders of the resistance, especially John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Follow the Patriots and the British during the lead up to the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and experience the battles first hand. Explore what really happened on Paul Revere’s ride, and discover the unsung heroes Dr. Joseph Warren, William Dawes, and others. The British confrontation at Lexington sparked the Shot Heard ‘Round the World and ended in a small massacre of Americans. The British confrontation in Concord was eventually driven off, and the British were lucky to escape with their lives over a long and harrowing retreat. They suffered many casualties and inflicted barbaric attacks on Americans. The colonies were not cowed into submission but rallied to military action and to militarily surround British occupied Boston. Although it would take more than a year for Americans to make the final break with the English Empire with the Declaration of Independence, the stage was set, and over a decade of political and economic resistance to English oppression transfigured into open warfare. Highlights include the Boston Tea Party, Intolerable Acts a/k/a Coercive Acts, King George III, Lord Dartmouth a/k/a William Ledge, House of Commons, Earl of Sandwich a/k/a/ John Montagu, John Pitcairn, General Thomas Gage, Boston Port Act (1774), Green Dragon Tavern, colonial intelligence committees, John Hancock, Dr. Joseph Warren, Benjamin Church, Samuel Adams, Lexington Massachusetts, Concord Massachusetts, Paul Revere, “one if by land and two if by sea” lantern warning signal by Paul Revere, North Church, John Crozie, Cambridge Massachusetts, Sons of Liberty, William Dawes, Reverend Jonas Clark, Charlestown Neck, Captain John Parker, Sylanus Wood, Robert Douglass, Major Mitchel, Paul Revere & William Dawes Midnight Ride, April 19 1775, Buckman Tavern, Shot Heard ‘Round the World, Lieutenant John Barker, King’s Own Royal Regiment of Lancaster, Dr. Samuel Prescott, General John Palmer, Phillip’s Farm, Israel Bissel, colonial militia, Colonel James Barrett, Concord River, redcoats, minutemen, John Barker, Lieutenant Frederick MacKenzie, “King Hancock forever!”, Brigadier General Earl Percy, Reverend Jonas Clark, John E. Ferling, Catherine Louisa Smith, Abigail Adams, John Adams, Massachusetts Provincial Assembly (a/k/a Massachusetts Provincial Congress), Call to Arms adopted by Massachusetts Provincial Assembly (written by Dr. Joseph Warren), George Washington, American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, and more. To learn more about American History, the Constitution, our holidays, & Patriot Week, visit www.PatriotWeek.org. Our resources include videos, a TV series, blogs, lesson plans, and more. Read the entire Declaration of Independence here: https://patriotweek.org/2021/07/24/the-declaration-of-independence-september-11/ [https://patriotweek.org/2021/07/24/the-declaration-of-independence-september-11/] Check out Judge Michael Warren’s new book The Revolutionary Words that Forged America - The Definitive Guide to the Declaration of Independence (Republic Books 2026) & his original book America's Survival Guide, How to Stop America's Impending Suicide by Reclaiming Our First Principles and History (Mill City Press, 2007) at Amazon and other major online retailers. Join us!

Washington Crosses the Delaware — A Christmas Tale of 1776

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 Washington enormous authority, and Washington used the lull in fighting and his new power to reorganize and strengthen his troops.  Washington and his officers designed a daring attack on Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey. Before the battle, Washington inspired the troops through the reading of Thomas Paine’s American Crisis. Follow Washington's troops through the winter storm, the crossing of the nearly frozen Delaware River, an arduous march, and the pitched battle. The fate of the new nation depends on it. Through divine intervention, Washington was able to mount a surprise attack on the hated Hessian troops in Trenton, winning an improbable victory, which became a critical turning point in the war. Highlights include David Hackett Fisher, Washington’s Crossing, James McPherson, Christmas 1776, Delaware River, Hessian soldiers, Trenton New Jersey, Your Excellency, Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Long Island a/k/a the Battle of Brooklyn a/k/a/ the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, Continental Army, Brooklyn Heights, Battle of Harlem Heights, New York City, Thomas Paine, Common Sense, General Charles Lee, General William Howe, The American Crisis, Federalist Papers, Pennsylvania Journal, Second Continental Congress, Henry Steel Commager, Richard B. Morris, James Gant, Colonel Johann Rall, Colonel Joseph Reed, militia, Hessians, Hanoverians, Mechlenburghers, Christmas Day, Fifer John Greenwood, General James Ewing, Colonel John Cadwalader, Highlanders, General Israel Putnam, Christmas Eve, American Crisis No. 1, “These are the times that try men’s souls,” Lieutenant Andreas Von Wiederholdt, Major Friedrich von Dechow, Captain Thomas Rodney, Daniel Hitchcock, Lieutenant Widerholdt, Victory or Death!, Sergeant Madden, General Nathanael Greene, Captain William Hull, the first use of synchronized watches to time a military battle, Captain George Wallis, Adam Stephens, Virginia’s Fourth Regiment, Major John Sullivan, artillery barrage, future President James Monroe, General Henry Knox, Battle of Trenton, and many others. To learn more about George Washington the American Revolution & Patriot Week, visit www.PatriotWeek.org. Our resources include videos, a TV series, blogs, lesson plans, and more. Check out Judge Michael Warren’s upcoming new book, The Revolutionary Words that Forged America - The Definitive Guide to the Declaration of Independence (Republic Books 2026), available for pre-order on amazon.com [http://amazon.com] (release date, April 14, 2026). Merry Christmas!