It’s Memorial Day during America’s 250th birthday. We can honor America’s fallen heroes by visiting important sites in American history.
In the United States, it’s Memorial Day today. The 250th American birthday and a day to honor and mourn America’s fallen heroes. Those who died while serving the nation in the U.S. Armed Forces. President Abraham Lincoln said,
“A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”
American Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan said, clearly understanding why we have Memorial Day and who America’s heroes truly are, “I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”
For 250 years, America’s armed service members have understood their responsibility and have served the nation in its darkest hours and the darkest hours of humanity.
For 250 years, American armed service members have understood that responsibility. They have taken ownership of it day after day. Millions of Americans have served the nation in its darkest hours and the darkest hours of humanity. They have defended the nation with their energy, their faith and far too often, their lives.
Memorial Day gives each American a special opportunity to do more than party, go to the beach or take a vacation. It gives us a chance to honor the memory of America’s service members who gave their lives to ensure our nation’s safety and freedom.
By the time you have read this column, as is my custom to honor and remember those service members who died defending our nation, I will have visited Washington Square, Philadelphia, one of the five original City squares laid out in 1682. In the Square, I will have stood in silent remembrance before the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier. Lying underneath the Square are more than one thousand unknown soldiers of General George Washington’s Army.
There are many destinations at which we can learn about America’s military history and the greatness of its heroes. By taking time to learn about them we can honor them. This year, on America’s 250th birthday, it can be enormously fulfilling to concentrate on visiting locations in and around America’s birthplace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the U.S.’ first World Heritage City. The fallen heroes of the American Revolution served honorably in the flight to bring the nascent American nation to life.
Independence National Historic Park is where America came to life.
Independence National Historic Park – If there is a single place where America came to life, it is here at Independence National Historic Park in the heart of the Old City area of Philadelphia. Located in the Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, Carpenter’s Hall, Congress Hall, Old City Hall, the Declaration House, Franklin Court and Washington Square, among other historic locations.
During the American Revolutionary War, the Second Continental Congress convened in Independence Hall from 1775 to 1781. On June 14, they founded the Continental Army and unanimously appointed George Washington as its Commander-in-Chief. On July 4, 1776, inside Independence Hall, 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, which was unanimously adopted by the colonies. It was mostly written in a second-floor apartment of what is now known as the Declaration House (reconstructed in 1975), a short walk from Independence Hall.
Under the Articles of Confederation, Philadelphia became the new nation’s first capital. The first Congress of the Confederation met in Independence Hall from March 1, 1781, to June 21, 1783.
From May 25 to September 17, 1787, Independence Hall hosted America’s Constitutional Convention where the U.S. Constitution, now the world’s longest-standing written and codified national constitution, was created and ratified.
Washington Crossing Historic Park is where, in late 1776, Washington led the Continental Army across the ice-choked, dangerous Delaware River on their way to Trenton, where they defeated the Hessians.
Washington Crossing Historic Park
By late 1776 the Continental Army under General Washington was not doing well. Morale among the troops was dismal. The army was having to deal with a harsh Pennsylvania winter and food was scarce. Desertions and expiring enlistments were shrinking the army that winter. Then in December, Washington put together a daring plan to cross the Delaware River at night, march to Trenton and attack the Hessians there. Starting on December 25, 1776, Washington and his 2,400 men began to cross the ice-choked river in large Durham boats. It took hours to cross during a blinding snow storm. They then marched ten miles to Trenton. Supporting brigades under the commands of Generals Cadwalder and Ewing never made it to Trenton. On the morning of December 26, Washington and his army, with no assistance, defeated the Hessians and reignited hope that they could achieve victory over the British. If you’re in the Philadelphia region in December, 2026, the park will run crossing reenactments on both December 13 and 25.
The other Pennsylvania battles
Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site – This is the site of the Battle of Brandywine, fought on September 11, 1777. It was a decisive British victory and cleared a path directly to the American capital of Philadelphia. Approximately 30,000 American and British soldiers fought each other here in the largest land battle of the American Revolution. Despite being led by Generals Washington, Wayne, Marquis de Lafayette and Knox, the Continental Army was defeated. Roam this site to get a feel for this significant battle and the bravery that was exhibited by the Continental and British armies.
Fort Mifflin (near Philadelphia International Airport) – After the British defeated the Continental Army at Brandywine, they marched into Philadelphia. The Continental Congress temporarily fled the City, but British General William Howe had a problem. The Continental Army was to the north, east, and west. Howe’s troops were in desperate need of supplies. The British fleet in Delaware Bay had the supplies, but had to sail up the Delaware River to get to Philadelphia. Unfortunately for Howe, that meant getting past the Americans primarily at Fort Mifflin, just south of the City on Mud Island, and Fort Mercer across the Delaware River in New Jersey.
The 400 men at Fort Mifflin, cold and starving, overmatched and out-gunned, held off the British Navy until November 15. Eventually, they escaped across the river to New Jersey. This gave Washington the time needed to move his troops to Valley Forge. Despite the horrid conditions, they were able to rebuild after the defeat at Brandywine. Each year in November, there is a reenactment of the Siege of Fort Mifflin. Everyone can enjoy it and learn about some of the heroes of the American Revolution.
While no battle was fought at Valley Forge, the Continental Army’s encampment there was instrumental in the American victory over the British.
Valley Forge National Historical Park – No battle was fought at Valley Forge, but the Continental Army encampment was nonetheless instrumental in the American victory over the British. Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army, led by General George Washington. The sacrifice and perseverance of the men, frequently chilled to the bone, and often wet and suffering from disease, encamped during that severe and snowy Philadelphia area winter, brought honor to themselves during the extraordinary birth of the U.S. A Valley Forge visit to help understand the historic qualities of the encampment is always worthwhile.
Learning about the American Revolution and the bravery, perseverance and sacrifice of our armed service heroes is essential. Through it, we can learn about every citizen’s responsibility to uphold America’s founding principles, no matter the challenge, while upholding the Constitution equally for every American. We can never forget the Revolutionary War lessons and heroes.
(Image: Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary Soldier, Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA Copyright © 2024 NSL Photography. All Rights Reserved. All TDM and AI Training are Prohibited.)
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After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
