Adventures Into History

The Declaration of Independence is a time machine.
It pulls you straight back into 1776, the arguments, the ideas, the people, the moment - and then turns right around and connects you to where we are living right now.
Nothing else in the modern era has done that. Nothing.
And here's what's fascinating: those values, that remarkable coming together of people and beliefs? They didn't transfer to the French Revolution. Same era, completely different outcome.
So what made America different?
That's the question I want your student sitting with this summer - on the 250th anniversary of the document that started it all.
Four Wednesdays in July. Online. Small group. Real conversation.
If that sounds like your family, the link is in my bio.
Adventures Into History
1776: The Argument That Made America
https://www.adventuresintohistory.com/1776-summer-class
#1776

https://www.adventuresintohistory.com/1776-summer-class

This was a major step on the way to Independence!

An American Moment, 250 years ago, May 6, 1776. Forty-five members of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, met at the capitol in Williamsburg pursuant to their adjournment; but as they were of the opinion that the ancient constitution had been subverted by the king and parliament of Great Britain, they dissolved themselves unanimously, and thus the last vestige of the king's authority passed away.

The delegates of Virginia, who on the same morning assembled in convention, were a constituent and an executive assembly. They represented the oldest and the largest colony …

The purpose for which the convention was assembled, appears from the words of the county of Buckingham to Charles Patteson and John Cabell, its delegates:

We instruct you to cause a total and final separation from Great Britain to take place as soon as possible; and a constitution to be established, with a full representation, and free and frequent elections. As America is the last country of the world which has contended for her liberty, so she may be the most free and happy; taking advantage of her situation and strength, and having the experience of all before to profit by. The supreme Being hath left it in our power to choose what government we please for our civil and religious happiness: good government and the prosperity of mankind can alone be in the divine intention; we pray, therefore, that under the superintending providence of the Ruler of the universe, a government may be established in America, the most free, happy, and permanent that human wisdom can contrive and the perfection of man maintain.

History of the United States, from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 8, George Bancroft, p. 373.

© 2026 Clifford Olsen/1776 American Moments

Welcome to Adventures into History, formally Ed West's Classes!

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