American Preservation Alliance

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We're only two months away from July 4, 2026: the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Excitement is growing for the big events celebrating this historic birthday. Keep an eye on the National Park Service's special page for information and events: www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/usa-250.htm

Photo by National Park Service.

On this day in U.S. History: George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City. Washington’s inauguration marked the formal beginning of the U.S. presidency under the United States Constitution, establishing early precedents for executive authority and national leadership.

George Washington was unanimously elected by the Electoral College on February 4, 1789, and officially confirmed on April 6, 1789, after Congress reached a quorum and counted the votes. The inauguration was set for April 30 to allow time for Congress to organize, for the new government to begin functioning, and for Washington to travel from Mount Vernon to New York City, then serving as the temporary capital. Washington departed Virginia in mid-April and made a deliberate journey north, receiving formal welcomes in towns along the route before arriving in New York on April 23.

On the day of the inauguration, he was escorted in a formal procession to Federal Hall, arriving around noon. A large crowd gathered in the streets as he stepped onto the balcony overlooking Broad Street. The oath of office was administered by Robert R. Livingston, who served as Chancellor of New York. Washington placed his hand on a Bible, took the oath, and the ceremony concluded with public acknowledgment as the crowd responded below. Members of Congress, military officers, and leading figures of the new republic were present, representing the leadership that had guided the nation through the Revolution and into its constitutional government.

Following the oath, Washington returned inside to the Senate chamber, where he delivered his inaugural address before a joint session of Congress. He opened by acknowledging the weight of the office and his own hesitation in accepting it, stating that his feelings were “inferior to the task,” and that no event could have filled him with greater anxieties than being called to lead the new government at its beginning.

Washington then turned directly to the stakes facing the nation, stating, “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” In this, Washington framed the United States as an active test of self-government, making clear that its success would depend not only on its institutions, but on the conduct and unity of its people.

Washington also tied the success of the new government to principle and character, noting that “the foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality.” He deferred to Congress on matters of policy and structure, signaling restraint in the executive role, while affirming that the Constitution would guide the direction of the nation. He closed with an appeal to Providence, expressing confidence that the same guidance that had carried the country through the Revolution would continue to direct its future under this new government.

Following the inaugural address and ceremony, Washington attended a service at St. Paul's Chapel before returning to begin the work of the presidency. In the days that followed, he met with Congress, began forming his cabinet, and set early precedents for the executive office. With Washington’s inauguration complete, the presidency had begun, and the American experiment was now fully in motion.

Painting is by Ramon de Elorriaga, an oil painting depicting George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City.

Located in southern New Mexico, White Sands National Park offers a landscape like no other, with glistening gypsum dunes perfect for exploration, play and inspiration. Whether you're sledding with the family or soaking in the quiet beauty of the desert, unforgettable moments await.

Photo by Stephen Leonardi

May 1, 1781 – Gen. Greene describes the resolve of the Continental Army in a letter to Washington.

Dear Sir,

My public letters to Congress will inform your Excellency of our situation in this quarter. We fight get beat and fight again. We have so much to do and so little to do it with, that I am much afraid these States must fall never to rise again; and what is more I am perswaded they will lay a train to sap the foundation of all the rest.

I am greatly obliged to your Excellency for ordering the Marquis to the Southward. I propose to halt him in Virginia until the enemies plan of operations is better explained. Baron Stuben will join this army, he having offended the Legislature of Virginia cannot be as useful there as he has been. The Marquis is desired to keep your Excellency advisd of all matters in that quarter as it is too far first to come to this army and then be sent back again.

When I was appointed to the command of this army, I solicited Congress to give Doctor McHenry a majority that he might serve me in the character of an aid. This they refused. I was perswaded when I made the application of the necessity, and since have felt it, most sensibly. Your Excellency can scarsely tell how happy you are in your family and therefore can hardly judge of my situation. I cannot make a second application to Congress upon this subject, nor should I have hopes of succeeding if did, but I shall esteem it a peculiar mark of your Excellency[s] friendship and esteem if you will interest yourself in the matter and get him a Majority. Your Excellency will judge of the propriety of my request; and if my wishes has prompted me to ask any thing that dont accord with your opinion or your feelings, I must beg you to decline the measure, and excuse me.

It is a long time since I receivd a line from Mrs Greene, I am afraid they have miscarried before they got to Head quarters. I am sorry that you had not leisure to call on her on your return from Newport, she would have tho’t her self greatly honord, and been peculearly happy on the occasion. With the greatest respect esteem & affection I am your Excellency’s Most Obedient humble Ser.

N. Greene

Check out this lineup of speakers for the upcoming 2026 Symposium - Revolutionary War 250: Struggle for Independence, 1777–1779

★ Session 1: “The Compleat Victory: Saratoga and the American Revolution,” with Kevin Weddle, Ph.D.

★ Session 2: “General George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine: A New Understanding,” with Gary Ecelbarger

★ Session 3: “From Valley Forge to Morristown: Winter Quarters and the Evolution of the Continental Army,” with Steven Elliott, Ph.D

★ Session 4: “The Guns Roared and the Blood Flowed Abundantly,” with Mark Maloy

★ Session 5: “The Origin Story of the French Alliance,” with Iris de Rode, Ph.D.

★ Session 6: “A Handsome Flogging: The Battle of Monmouth, 1778,” with William R. Griffith IV

In-person and virtual attendance options available. Learn more and begin your free registration here: https://www.thenmusa.org/symposium2026/

COURAGE UNDER FIRE / REAL PATRIOTS IN THE ARENA

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The United States Secret Service (USSS) performs a very specialized set of duties protecting America. Potentially the most dangerous duties of all.
Yet, they do a job that many do not neither appreciate nor know much if anything at all about. Most citizens do not ever know one.
Suddenly, our country has scores of previously unknown "experts" on how they should do their job.

Beginning at 8:36 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 25th, 2026 in Washington, D.C. numerous Secret Service agents and uniform officers thwarted an attack by an armed would-be assassin. One USSS Uniformed Division officer was shot in the chest. Others ran to the sound of the gunfire.
Within seconds, the President of the United States was surrounded by heavily armed USSS agents to include members of the elite Counter Assault Team (PPD CAT). Ready to shoot. Shielding our President with their bodies. Which they are taught to do.
These are among the very best shooters, professional gunfighters in our entire government. Other agents swarmed the hotel along with brave members of The National Guard. In less than a minute, it was over.

As they did in Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024, the Secret Service agents shielded our President with their bodies. All knew that they could be shot and killed in doing so. Noone knew if the threat had ended. They were all prepared to take a bullet for the man that they protect.
Someone died that day during the assassination attempt.
Some of those same Secret Service agents were on duty at the Washington Hilton Saturday night protecting the annual dinner of the White House Coorespondents Association. Protecting both the President, staff of The White House, and Cabinet secretaries and our First Amendment.

These federal law enforcement officers of the USSS are people who volunteer for an inherently dangerous job. They must go through one of the most difficult selection and security clearance processes in our government. This is something that 95 to 99% of those who make it past the initial screening still never get hired. Most people could never qualify for this unique job. Their fi****ms qualification and other certifications are rigorous and very difficult.

There will be uninformed, unwitting, unappreciative mere critics who sit on the sidelines and disparage these brave patriots. Where these critics there risking their life this past Saturday night? Did these critics raise their right hand and volunteer to take a bullet for our elected national leader?

Something once said by former President Theodore Roosevelt might be worth considering. He was also attacked by an assassin, hit in the chest with a bullet at close range while campaigning. In this speech in France, his wise words are perpetually relevant, especially ringing true in light of criticism of the Secret Service:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

"Citizenship In A Republic", delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910

U.S. Secret Service 42 likes, 12 comments. "Step Up with the Secret Service"

THE GUTS TO TRY - OPERATION EAGLE CLAW ANNIVERSARY - DESERT ONE - IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS - The most daring attempted rescue operation ever.

On Nov. 4, 1979, radical islamic revolutionaries in Tehran took more than 60 Americans hostage from our Embassy. This led to a crisis that lasted 444 days.

On the night of April 24, 1980, a daring rescue operation was attempted by a special operations task force consisting of personnel from all 4 armed services who swooped into Iran undetected and commenced a rescue mission. Code Named "Eagle Claw", it was aborted due to a tragic accident at a forward refueling point and staging area near Tabas, Iran known as Desert One. The 100 man assault force from the U.S. Army were to conduct the most daring hostage rescue mission ever attempted. (note: Some of these men were the same ones that took part in the attempt to rescue American POWs in North Vietnam 10 years before (the Son Tay Raid) and some of these same men were later to be my commanding officers)

A separate secret task force had already infiltrated downtown Tehran and were conducting pre-raid intelligence gathering of the 'target' and other sites, and were to provide support for the rescue mission. Not all of the helicopters made it to Desert One due to mechanical issues and weather. 8 members of the aircrews were killed in the forward air refueling point accident at Desert One. When the accident occurred, the mission was aborted. The Iranians did not know that our people were there until after they had left.

Many criticized the operation and what led to the disaster in the desert and subsequent failure, but much good came from it. (the first of which, that as soon as Reagan took office, the hostages were released...I guess that someone in Tehran knew that a massive smackdown was coming if they had continued holding them) Most of all, people should recognize heroic actions and gallantry of the operators, pilots, and crews who despite tremendous risk, attempted to pe*****te into a hostile country and who had the Guts to Try.

All of this led to many improvements in our military, to include creation of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and its two primary special operations aviation capabilities: Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and what is now the USASOAC(A) /160th SOAR.

Same units that successfully executed Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela earlier this year.

Please support the nonprofit charity bourne of this mission:
Special Operations Warrior Foundation

When the Battles of Lexington and Concord started the American Revolutionary War on April 19th, 1775, South Carolina didn’t know until mid-May. The slow communication between the Colonies would prove to have devastating effects on prosecution throughout the next eight years.