Loudoun County Government’s Post

55 Stories, One Nation: Celebrating July 4th Nearly 250 years ago in Philadelphia, a fledgling America boldly declared independence from Britain to forge what the United States Constitution later deemed "a more perfect Union." Today, we understand that America's story isn't a single narrative but a tapestry woven from diverse histories. It encompasses the struggles and triumphs of countless individuals and communities who have shaped the nation's identity. This Fourth of July, delve into stories from every single state, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, and Guam. By sharing these stories, we honor our civic duty to embrace the full spectrum of American history and preserve the places integral to our collective identity. https://ow.ly/A78350StBSb

Staten Island, one of New York City's five boroughs, boasts a rich and diverse history. One fascinating chapter is its role during the American Revolutionary War. Known as the "Forgotten Borough," Staten Island was strategically important due to its location near the entrance to New York Harbor. In the early stages of the war, British forces recognized the island's value and swiftly occupied it in 1776. This occupation provided a secure base for the British, from which they could launch operations into New Jersey and Manhattan. The presence of British troops also influenced local loyalties—many Staten Islanders were loyalists who supported the British cause, which led to internal conflict and strife among the residents. The island was the site of a notable peace conference in September 1776, held at the Billopp House (now known as the Conference House). Here, American delegates including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge met with British Admiral Lord Howe in an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate peace before the escalation of the war. Despite these historic events, Staten Island's role in the war is less commemorated compared to other New York City sites, preserving its title as the "Forgotten Borough." Today, the Conference House remains a museum, standing as a testament to this crucial but overlooked piece of American history. #history #historybuff #nyc #ny #statenisland #authorsoflinkedin #writersoflinkedin

Click below to learn more about a super interesting piece of history that connects right back to Birmingham!

Juneteenth recognizes the freedom of enslaved people of African descent in Texas. It occurred nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation for the freedom news to travel to Galveston, TX. The Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, TX, on June 19, 1865. As of June 17, 2021, Congress approved a new bill recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday. Interestingly, culinary traditions play a significant role in Juneteenth celebrations. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4c0DXS4

There is so much history in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. In this article I share a slice from the Civil War, including a foray into Gap Cave. https://lnkd.in/gCVqv4nH

Be brave enough to teach the history they are trying to erase!: On June 22, 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (USA), known as the GI Bill, to provide financial aid to veterans returning from World War II. The benefits included access to housing, small business loans, employment, and education. While the GI Bill was federal legislation, it was administered by the states, where Jim Crow laws and practices severely limited equal access to the benefits. Here are some questions to consider regarding the GI Bill: Were the benefits for everyone? How many elected officials, opposed to government programs today, benefit from their family having been on the GI Bill? What is the impact of the GI Bill on racial disparities in the United States today?

Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee, the sons of Stratford Hall founder Thomas Lee, were the only brothers among the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. Their older brother Thomas Ludwell Lee was an active member of the Virginia Convention which instructed the Virginia delegation to make the resolution for independence from Great Britain. On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, senior member of the Virginia delegation to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, presented a three-part resolution, "Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation." When Congress reconvened on #OnThisDay (July 2, 1776), it adopted the Lee resolution almost unanimously—New York did not cast a vote. Immediately, Congress began to shape the Declaration document to its final form, which was officially adopted on July 4—the day of its annual celebration in the United States. #stratfordhall #declarationofindependence #history #virginiahistory #historymatters #americanhistory #nnk250 #va250

“Let their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.” - Daniel Webster As we commemorate Memorial Day, we honor the memory of those who served and sacrificed for our nation. #memorialday #teambaarman #conferencedirect #meetingsandevents #incentivetravel #eventmanagement #contractnegotiation #siteselection #eventprofs

Listen and think

Read our Director General, Claire Horton CBE, on the topic of the future commemoration the legacy of D-Day in The Times today: https://lnkd.in/eF6m7GrM #LegacyofLiberation #DDay80