My fellow citizens, Today, we gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and one of the most remarkable Americans who ever lived. Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1706. He was a self-made man who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful and influential people in the world. He was a printer, publisher, inventor, scientist, diplomat, and statesman. He was also a gifted writer and orator. Franklin played a key role in the American Revolution. He was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He also served as the American ambassador to France during the war. After the war, he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and one of the signers of the United States Constitution. Franklin was also a prolific inventor and scientist. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove. He also made important...

The Hundred Years' War was a series of armed conflicts between England and France that lasted from 1337 to 1453. It was one of the longest and most destructive wars in European history. The war began when Edward III of England claimed the French throne after the death of Charles IV of France. Edward's claim was based on the fact that his mother was the sister of Charles IV. However, the French nobility rejected Edward's claim and instead crowned Philip VI of France as king. The war was fought over a number of issues, including the English claim to the French throne, English control of territories in France, and trade disputes. The war was also influenced by the rise of nationalism in both England and France. The early stages of the war were dominated by the English, who won a number of major victories, including the battles of Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356). However, the French began to turn the tide of the war in the late 14th century. In 1429, the French suffered a majo...

The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a federally funded expedition of exploration through the American wilderness to and from the Pacific Ocean Coast. The expedition took place from 1804 to 1806, during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. The expedition was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, two captains of the United States Army. The expedition had several goals: To explore the uncharted territory of the Louisiana Purchase To find a water route to the Pacific Ocean To learn more about the Native American tribes of the West To establish American claims to the Pacific Northwest The expedition began in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 14, 1804. Lewis and Clark led a group of 33 men, including Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman who served as an interpreter and guide. The expedition traveled up the Missouri River, across the Rocky Mountains, and down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, Lewis and Clark encountered a variety of challenges, including harsh weather, difficult ter...

  Joan of Arc was a peasant girl who led the French army to victory against the English during the Hundred Years' War. She was born in Domrémy, France, in 1412. When she was about 13 years old, she began to hear voices that she believed were from God. The voices told her that she was destined to save France from the English. In 1429, Joan convinced the Dauphin Charles VII of France to give her command of an army. She then led the French army to a series of victories, including the lifting of the siege of Orléans. This victory was a turning point in the war, and it helped to boost French morale. Joan then led the French army to a victory at the Battle of Patay. This victory paved the way for Charles VII to be crowned King of France at Reims Cathedral. In 1430, Joan was captured by the Burgundians, who were allies of the English. She was then sold to the English and put on trial for heresy. Joan was found guilty and burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. She was only 19 years old. Joan...

Today, we gather to remember Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the most complex and controversial figures in human history. He was a brilliant military strategist, a powerful leader, and a visionary reformer. But he was also a ruthless dictator who waged wars of conquest across Europe. Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica in 1769. He rose through the ranks of the French army during the French Revolution, and by the age of 24, he was a general. In 1799, he staged a coup d'état and seized power in France. He then crowned himself emperor in 1804. Over the next decade, Napoleon led France to victory in a series of wars against Austria, Russia, and other European powers. He expanded the French Empire to its greatest extent, and he introduced a number of important reforms, including the Napoleonic Code, which is still the basis of French law today. But Napoleon's ambitions ultimately led to his downfall. In 1812, he invaded Russia with a massive army. But the Russians scorched the ear...

 The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive in the Ardennes region of western Europe during the closing stages of World War II. It began on December 16, 1944, and lasted until January 25, 1945. The battle was the largest single land battle of World War II in terms of the number of troops involved.  Battle of the Bulge mapOpens in a new window www.ncpedia.org Battle of the Bulge map The Germans launched the offensive in an attempt to split the Allied forces in two and force them to retreat. The offensive caught the Allies by surprise, and they were initially forced to retreat. However, the Allies eventually rallied and were able to stop the German advance. The Battle of the Bulge was a costly victory for the Allies, but it ultimately helped to hasten the end of the war. The German offensive was led by Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt. He assembled a force of over 200,000 troops, including many of Germany's best units. The Germans also had the advantage of surprise, as...

 George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the son of a prosperous planter and grew up on a large plantation called Mount Vernon. Washington was a bright and athletic young man, and he received a good education. He learned how to read, write, and do math, and he also studied surveying and military tactics.  George Washington childhoodOpens in a new window washingtonpapers.org George Washington childhood In 1754, Washington fought in the French and Indian War. He was a brave and skilled soldier, and he quickly rose through the ranks. He was eventually promoted to the rank of colonel. After the war, Washington returned to Mount Vernon and resumed his life as a planter. However, he soon became involved in the political affairs of the colony. He was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he became a leader of the Patriot movement. In 1775, the American Revolution began. Washington was unanimously elected commander-in-chief...

  The United States entered World War I in 1917, two years after the war began in Europe. The reasons for America's entry into the war were complex and multifaceted. One reason was the German submarine campaign, which began in 1917. German submarines sank several American merchant ships, killing hundreds of American civilians. This led to a growing public outcry in the United States, and many Americans began to believe that Germany was a threat to American interests. Another reason for America's entry into the war was the desire to protect its allies, France and Britain. Both countries were struggling against the Central Powers, and the United States feared that if they were defeated, it would threaten the balance of power in Europe and endanger American security. Finally, President Woodrow Wilson believed that the United States had a moral obligation to enter the war. He saw the war as a fight for democracy and self-determination, and he believed that the United States had a d...