- Take time to honor and thank God on the Fourth — make it a day celebrated “with solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
- Read the Declaration of Independence. Shortly after the Founders originally approved the Declaration, they took it outside and read it aloud to the assembled crowd; and George Washington also had it read aloud in each regiment of the Continental Army. Even then it was important to know the reasons for our founding, and it remains no less important today.
- Read John Quincy Adams’ fabulous 1837 Fourth of July oration.
- Honor the memory of those (past and present) who sacrificed so much for our country. In fact, take one name that you do not know from among the 56 signers of the Declaration (you can find the list of signers here) and look online for a brief biography of that one signer and thus familiarize yourself with yet another early patriot.
- Fill out the Children’s Program Information Sheet.
- Print Maps and Directions.
- Bring your Box Tops and Ukrop Golden Gift Certificates to turn in when you come.
- Input any material you want to sell at the Used Curriculum Sale before the barcode system closes on Wednesday, June 10, at 4 p.m.
- Remember to pack a sweater and a blanket for baby as the Convention Center can get cold.
- Print speaker handouts for any sessions you plan to attend.
How to Celebrate the Fourth of July
The following is reprinted from a June 27, 2008, WallBuilders’ e-mail newsletter. To receive future information about historical issues and biblical values in the culture, to contribute to their ministry, or to view their other resources, visit www.wallbuilders.com.
Born in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence, America has had only one form of government. Neither our closest allies nor our fiercest enemies have experienced the stability with which God has blessed America.
When the Founders approved the Declaration of Independence in 1776, John Adams suggested the way in which the day should be celebrated. We still follow his suggestion that the Fourth “be solemnized with pomp and parade — with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other,” but we seem to have forgotten his recommendation that the day “be commemorated as a day of solemn deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
The spiritual element in celebrating the Fourth was important to the Founding Fathers and was practiced by Americans for generations afterwards. In fact, in his 1837 Fourth of July speech, John Quincy Adams observed:
In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. It forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation. The Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth — it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.
According to John Quincy Adams, on the Fourth of July the Founders took the precepts of Christ that came into the world through His birth and incorporated those principles into civil government.
This is an excellent year to recover the original spirit of the celebration of the Fourth of July. We therefore recommend that in this year’s celebration:
If you are interested in reading other famous patriotic orations about the Fourth of July, or if you want to know more about each of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, you can order our two books on these subjects (Celebrate Liberty! Famous Patriotic Speeches and Sermons and Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence) at a special 25% discount. This discount [is] available through the end of July! [Note: This e-mail was originally written in 2008; however, it appears the items are on sale again this July. See the website for the details of this year's sale.]
Enjoy your Fourth of July!
(By the way, if you know of others who might enjoy learning of God’s hand in America’s history, have them sign up on the WallBuilders’ website for these periodic email pieces.)
God bless!
David Barton
Blog @ June 29, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
Threat of Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child Grows
The threat of ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child is growing. For the first time, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice publicly made reference to the new administration’s discussion of when and how it would be possible to ratify.
Action: Please call the White House and your U.S. senator immediately. See HSLDA’s information below for details.
From the HSLDA e-lert service
Call Now to Stop UN Children’s Treaty
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,
Monday in a Harlem middle school, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told a group of 120 students that administration officials are actively discussing “when and how it might be possible to join” (that is, ratify) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). As before, she also communicated what a disgrace it is that the U.S. would stand with only Somalia against such a widely accepted treaty.
This is the first direct public statement by the Obama administration that it will seek ratification of the UN CRC.
In my 30 years of political involvement, I have learned to recognize this as what is called a “trial balloon.” Like in World War I trench warfare, our opponents have “sent up a balloon” to see if it will draw fire. If things remain quiet, they will proceed with their plans to push for ratification of the CRC in the U.S. Senate. To discourage them from doing so, we need to make sure that our voices are heard with unmistakable clarity. We must let the Obama administration know that we oppose this anti-family, anti-American treaty.
Action
Here’s what we need you all to do:
1. Call the White House comments line at 202-456-1111. Tell them you heard the administration wants to ratify the CRC, and you strongly oppose this giving away of U.S. sovereignty to the UN. Also, keep in mind that this treaty gives the government jurisdiction to override any decision made by any parent if the government thinks that a better decision can be made—even if there is no proof of any harm. It may be busy–we have kept it busy all day–but keep trying. It is only open from 9 to 5 EDT, so time is limited. However, you can also send them a
message online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/.
2. Contact your U.S. senators and urge them to oppose ratification of this treaty. (Find your senators’ contact information by using HSLDA’s Legislative Toolbox.) Ask them also to defeat it once and for all by cosponsoring SJRes 16—the Parental Rights Amendment.
It is very important that we speak up right now. Please call before you close this email!
Michael Farris
HSLDA Chairman
Yvonne Bunn @ June 26, 2009 | Legislative | Comments (0)
For Convention Attendees…
For those of you who like lists, here’s a list of things you may want to do before convention. Of course, you may just want to get in your car and come–and that’s okay too!
Remember, you can view convention information, including workshops and exhibitors, and preview the program at www.heav.org/convention!
Katherine Loop @ June 8, 2009 | Convention | Comments (0)
Ten Reasons to Attend the 2009 Virginia Homeschool Convention
Why do you attend the convention? Let us know by leaving a comment!
1. Inspiring Line-Up of Nationally Recognized Speakers: Voddie Baucham, Carol Barnier, Joel Salatin, Wade Myers, Inge Cannon, Steve Demme, Dianne Craft, Adam Andrews, Debbie Strayer, and many others!
2. 119+ Relevant Workshops: Topics range from starting your own business to teaching a highly distractible child to parenting teens and young adults.
3. Mega Exhibit Hall: 300+ booths of educational and enrichment materials.
4. Used Curriculum Sale: Bargains abound in the gigantic, super-organized Used Curriculum Sale – more than 39,000 used items expected.
5. Free Admission for Parents of Preschoolers: Eldest child must be under five years of age, and this must be the first time the parent has attended the convention.
6. Four FREE “How-to-Begin” Workshops: Open to everyone; offered on Thursday, June 11. Free shopping is also offered after the last workshop session at 7:30 p.m.
7. Free Exhibit Hall Shopping: Three hours of free shopping open to everyone; offered on Saturday, June 13, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
8. “Pirates of the Cranium”: A special two-day program during the convention for children ages 4-12. (Advance registration recommended.)
9. Graduation Ceremony: 190+ homeschool students will graduate on Saturday, June 13, in the country’s largest homeschool graduation ceremony.
10. A Lasting Impact: So many resources to explore, with access to speakers and workshops on a multitude of homeschooling- and family-related topics—this event has the potential to equip and inspire you to make a lasting difference in your home.
June 11 – 13, 2009
Greater Richmond Convention Center
Richmond, Virginia
The Virginia Homeschool Convention, presented by the Home Educators Association of Virginia, is one of the largest homeschool conventions in the nation. Come and be challenged, encouraged, inspired, and equipped to make a lasting difference in your family. Don’t miss out! See www.heav.org/convention for details.
Katherine Loop @ June 6, 2009 | Convention | Comments (0)
Bring Your Golden Gift Certificates and Box Tops to Convention!
Attention Ukrop customers! Turn your Ukrop Golden Gift certificate into support for Virginia homeschoolers by sending it in to the HEAV office (2248 G Dabney Road, Richmond, VA 23230)…or by bringing it with you to convention and giving it to HEAV at registration!
New this year! There will be boxes at the convention for Box Top labels. Although tiny, Box Top labels can support homeschooling in a BIG way! So…before you toss that next food box or can, check to see if it has a Box Top label. Then collect the labels, trim them neatly, rubber band them in sets of 50, put them in a zip lock bag along with a completed form, and bring them with you to turn in at the convention! See www.heav.org/events/boxtops for more details.
Katherine Loop @ June 6, 2009 | Convention | Comments (0)