George Washington understood that for our great nation to succeed it must remain united. Although differences of opinion were to be expected, Americans could not allow these disagreements to split us apart. Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses Washington’s thoughts on unity, delivered in his Farewell Address, and why it still matters today.

One of our nation’s most significant documents, George Washington’s Farewell Address, was not really an address but rather a letter written by Washington to his fellow citizens as he neared the end of his second term. Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses the reasons that drove Washington not to seek a third term, and why it still matters today.

The Pinckney Treaty ended a border dispute with Spain, opened the Mississippi and New Orleans to commerce and helped bring our nation closer together.

By 1794, President George Washington worried America was drifting towards another war with England that it was ill-prepared to fight. The Treasury was broke, we had only a small standing army and no navy, and war with our largest trading partner would devastate the economy.

During his second term, George Washington kept the United States at peace and improved our nation’s economy. But most importantly, at the end of his term, he willingly gave up the power of the Presidency, something leaders at that time did not do.

When the United States Constitution was created, one innovation was a more powerful executive. Everyone knew there was only one man conscientious enough to be entrusted with the job – George Washington. However, there was no guide to follow and no predecessor to lean on.

The Northwest Ordinance represents the first time the United States spread its wings and began to fulfill its destiny. As a result, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota would eventually be added to our country.

It is important to understand the challenges faced by the Founders in creating our new federal system. As James Madison wrote, "the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”

It is important to understand the challenges faced by the Founders in creating our new federal system. As James Madison wrote, "the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”

To fully appreciate the Declaration of Independence, we must remember these words revolutionized the way not only Americans but also much of the world viewed the role of government and where the right to govern originates.

After the French and Indian War, England’s resources were depleted. Parliament decided to tax the American colonies, as well as revoke some freedoms. The colonists' resistance to these acts yielded no results, and the call was made to draft our Declaration of Independence.

By the mid-1700s, the American colonies had learned to govern and defend themselves. More and more people realized it made no sense for a government thousands of miles away to make decisions for the colonies, especially one that imposed unfair burdens and ignored requests for change.

The Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem, is a beautiful song written by Francis Scott Key the day after the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor by British forces during the War of 1812. This assault followed the capture and burning of Washington, DC by the British. Clearly, our nation was in peril. Key was being held prisoner aboard the British ship Minden when the attack began. Key knew losing Fort McHenry and Baltimore would be disastrous for America and wondered if this land of the free and home of the brave could survive the war with England.

Betsy Ross represents what most patriots were in 1776, simple, hard-working people who wanted their country to be free. Her flag is a reminder of the part every day Americans played in gaining our independence from England. The Betsy Ross flag represents a time when our nation was in its purest form. A time when our nation was united against a common foe and in a common cause.