Founding facts

1. Although it’s difficult to pinpoint what initiated the American Revolution, John Adams, the second president of the United States, wrote that the sentiment first began when a lawyer from Massachusetts sued the British government for violating the constitutional rights of the colonies through its tyrannical taxes and writs. His suit was thrown out of court, but inspired a sentiment of rebellion among the colonists. (nps.gov)

2. Perhaps the first organized group to resist British rule was the “Sons of Liberty.” Samuel Adams (after whom the beer is named) was among the leaders. He also organized the Boston Tea Party. (whitehouse.gov)

3. The first organized combat between British and rebel troops was at the battle of Lexington. It was not supposed to be a battle, and both groups had instructions not to engage in offensive warfare, but merely to fire back if fired upon. A shot rang out (from which side is still unknown) and war began. It is argued that this is what Ralph Waldo Emerson referred to as “the shot heard round the world.” (nps.gov, americanrevolution.com)

4. It’s often said that George Washington chopped down his father’s cherry tree, only to be questioned later and admit it. The legend goes that he said “I cannot tell a lie,” but this is now thought to be simply a story spread about him after he was famous. (bartleby.com)

5. The sentiment behind the Revolution was popularized by a pamphlet called “Common Sense,” written by Thomas Paine which advocated many principles of government we still value in America today. (nps.gov)

6. The Constitution was not ratified until June 21, 1788. Before then, America was ruled by the Articles of the Confederation, a series of laws agreed upon by our founding fathers. However, the Articles of Confederation were widely criticized for not striking the right balance of representation of states in Congress and lacking proper authority to tax. (thomas.loc.gov,loc.gov)

7. Article II of the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1992, making it the 27th and most recent amendment to the Constitution. It limited congressional pay raises. (house.gov)

8. Even after the Revolutionary War, people would often say “The United States are...” It was only after the Civil War that it became popular to say “The United States is...” (itre.cis.upenn.edu)

9. In 1976, Congress voted to limit the rank of “General of the Armies of the United States” to George Washington, the highest rank possible in the military. They felt no one should outrank him. (aoc.gov, whitehouse.gov, usmilitary.about.com)

10. The term “Founding Fathers” refers to the 55 men who co-authored the Constitution, although only 39 signed it. Sen. Warren Harding used the phrase in his 1921 presidential inaugural address, but it is argued that it was first used in his 1916 keynote address to the Republican National Convention. (archives.gov, usinfo.state.gov)