Entries by Our Lost Founding

,

“What hath God wrought?” Morse code and the first telegraphic message

On this day in 1844, Samuel Finley Breese (F.B.) Morse dispatches the first ever telegraphic message over an experimental line running from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore. Telegrams forever changed our national communication system. Morse had spent the previous 12 years developing a telegraph instrument and composing Morse code. That iconic, timeless first message was “What hath God wrought?” Annie Ellsworth, the young daughter of Morse’s old college friend, Henry L. Ellsworth, the Commissioner of Patents, suggested […]

,

The State of South Carolina : Supreme Being and Quis Separabit

On this day in 1788, South Carolina becomes the eighth state in the union. First, here’s the Preamble of the CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA: “We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same.” Next, upon closer examination of the state seal, pictured below, we see 12 spears (representing the first […]

,

Chief Justice Earl Warren on equal education and the guiding “Good Book”

On this day in 1954, Chief Justice Earl Warren delivers the Supreme Court decision abolishing “separate but equal” public schools. He wrote: “Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments. Compulsory school attendance laws and the great expenditures for education both demonstrate our recognition of the importance of education to our democratic society. It is required in the performance of our most basic public responsibilities, even service in the armed […]

, ,

Major General Benjamin Lincoln : ‘Surrendipity’

On this day in 1780, the Americans suffer their worst defeat of the revolution, with the unconditional surrender of Major General Benjamin Lincoln to British Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton and his army at Charleston, South Carolina. Interestingly, after having surrendered to the British at Charleston, Major General Lincoln was the one accepted Cornwallis’ ceremonial surrender to General George Washington at Yorktown on October 20. This is yet another example of the faith found in General […]

, ,

Abraham Lincoln: “Here and Hereafter”

On this day in 1865, Abraham Lincoln is laid to rest in Springfield, Illinois. What is also at rest is the debate on how he felt about God’s Word. The following quote inspired Our Abraham Lincoln Bible “This Great Book” t-shirt: “In regard to this Great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this […]

George Washington : Acknowledge and Adore

On this day in 1789, George Washington is sworn in as the first American president. Washington delivers the first inaugural speech at Federal Hall in New York City. He appeared holding a ceremonial army sword. Then, he took the oath of office, kissed the Bible, and delivered his inaugural address. Afterwards, Washington walked up Broadway with legislators and local leaders to pray at St. Paul’s Chapel. People of the United States In fact, a portion of this […]

, , ,

Nathanael Greene : “ready at all times to bleed in my country’s cause”

On this day in 1776, General George Washington gives friend and comrade-in-arms Brigadier General Nathanael Greene command of Long Island. General Greene is to set up defensive positions against a British attack on New York City. Greene arranged his troops to defend against a frontal attack. However, in late August the British surprised them with an attack from their left flank. Thus, the British took most of Long Island, but allowed American survivors to flee to […]

,

State of Maryland: “As with a shield”

On this day in 1788, Maryland, one of the original 13 colonies and also known as “The Old Line State,” become the seventh state in the Union. First, here is the opening of the “Declaration of Rights” from the Constitution of Maryland: “We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good Constitution in […]

,

James Madison and Tyranny of the Majority: Rage or Render?

On this day in 1711 (by the old style Julian calendar) David Hume is born in Edinburgh, Scotland. So what does that have to do with Our Lost Founding? David Hume died on August 25, 1776, early on in the American Revolution. Still, his essay, “Idea of a Perfect Commonwealth,” impacted Founding Father James Madison as he wrote “Federalist No. 10.” Several notable Founders wrote the Federalist Papers in favor of ratifying the Constitution. In essence, Madison […]

, ,

Bringing home the Bacon on Earth Day

Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626) is known as the Father of the Scientific Method. After all, he developed it. That’s great, but what does Francis Bacon have to do with Our Lost Founding? In fact, Bacon played a leading role in creating the British Colonies of Virginia and the Carolinas. Furthermore, he is believed to have drafted two Virginia Colony charters. As such, he is arguably among the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. […]

, ,

Jackie Robinson Day : “God built me to last”

On this day in 1947, Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. Robinson joined the army in 1942 as a second lieutenant. He was honorably discharged despite being court-martialed in 1944 for protesting instances of racial discrimination during his service. In 1945, Branch Rickey, general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, recruited Robinson to join one of the Dodgers’s farm teams. When he was called up to the Majors he soon became […]