Since 1986, on the third Monday in January, we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who understood the American Dream.   It has become more challenging for many to envision this dream as we begin a new decade of the American experiment. Some claim our American experiment no longer offers a dream - the American Dream has vanished. Current thought equates pursuit of the American Dream with acquisition of personal wealth (or access to credit) and accumulation of property. Were that the true measure of the American Dream, it would be an elusive concept, dependent upon the state of the economy or one’s precarious social standing.

The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.

While Dr. King is remembered for advancing the civil rights movement respecting racial equality, his words clarify the right of all Americans to pursue the American Dream. That is because Dr. King understood the vision of our Founding Fathers. In 1965 Dr. King preached on The American Dream stating its substance was “found in those majestic words of the Declaration of Independence, words lifted to cosmic proportions: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by God, Creator, with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.’ That the Bible and the concept that God created us influenced the founding fathers. This is a dream. It’s a great dream.”

Dr. King believed the dream belonged to us all, regardless of race, creed or status. He explained that what distinguishes our nation from others is that our basic rights were not derived from the government, but from God. Having been created in the image of God, all men have intrinsic worth because God Himself is in each man. He said, “Never before in the history of the world has a sociopolitical document expressed in such profound, eloquent, and unequivocal language the dignity and the worth of human personality. The American dream reminds us, and we should think about it anew … that every man is an heir of the legacy of dignity and worth.”

Dr. King continued, "You may take my life, but you can’t take my right to life. You may take liberty from me, but you can’t take my right to liberty. You may take from me the desire, you may take from me the propensity to pursue happiness, but you can’t take from me my right to pursue happiness." Dr. King knew the American Dream was part of our country’s foundation!

The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time. The hand of force may destroy but cannot disjoin them.

Thomas Jefferson penned these words in 1774 in his essay, A Summary View of the Rights of British America. In the same sense, liberty without God is impossible. Because the Founders acknowledged God in all they did, especially in establishing the foundations of our government, liberty was possible. The American Dream is the liberty we have, granted by God, to pursue our dreams, whatever they may be. Our subjective pursuits, whether they are higher education, particular careers, or material acquisitions, are the products of the dream.

Did you know that the Puritans in Colonial America disapproved of Christmas? Christmas Day celebrations were considered pagan and banned by many religious leaders in both England and the Colonies during the Protestant Reformation. Because many cultures celebrated the winter solstice in December with festivals, burning of Yule logs during days-long feasts, and giving of presents, the celebration of Christ’s birth became part of these popular traditions, even though Jesus was not born in December. While many Christian residents of the colonies observed the holiday, it was outlawed in some communities. Following the Revolutionary War, Christmas, being an English custom, fell out of favor in America.

During the 1800s, America was divided on many issues; Christmas was one of them. The Puritanical North frowned upon Christmas celebrations while the Southern States considered Christmas an important social event. Indeed, the first three states to make Christmas a legal holiday were Alabama (1836), Louisiana and Arkansas (1838). Even so, after the Civil War, Christmas traditions grew throughout America. Finally, on June 28, 1870, President Grant signed a law designating Christmas Day as one of the first four federal holidays. (The others were New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.) While federal holidays apply only to federal institutions and employees, all states have designated Christmas Day as a holiday.

There is some concern today that our American Christmas tradition, acknowledging and celebrating the birth of Christ, is under attack. We must remember that America was founded so Christians could exercise faith without government interference. The First Amendment guarantees the right to celebrate Christmas and to do so publicly, if we choose.

Members of Congress continue to reiterate the importance of our Christian heritage in the Congressional Record. Resolutions are proposed routinely recognizing the importance of Christmas and our Christian faith in the formation of our nation and its government. Moreover, laws passed by Congress acknowledge our religious heritage, such as our national motto “In God We Trust” mandated for our currency and the words “One Nation Under God” in our Pledge of Allegiance.

The Supreme Court has recognized the legitimacy of Christmas as a national holiday with statements such as, “There is an unbroken history of official acknowledgment by all three branches of government of the role of religion in American life from at least 1789.” In the Lynch case, herein quoted, the Supreme Court upheld a city sponsored display of a nativity scene, declaring that “The crèche in the display depicts the historical origins of this traditional event long recognized as a National Holiday.” In its opinion, the Court reflected upon the “Art galleries supported by public revenues (that) display religious paintings of the 15th and 16th centuries, predominantly inspired by one religious faith. The National Gallery in Washington, maintained with Government support, for example, has long exhibited masterpieces with religious messages, notably the Last Supper, and paintings depicting the Birth of Christ, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection, among many others with explicit Christian themes and messages.”

Known for its gastronomic delights, Thanksgiving in America has its beginnings in 1621 when the Pilgrims invited the Wampanoag Indians to join them for a three-day feast to thank God for His blessings. Other colonies, and later the states, followed the Pilgrims’ example and declared public days of thanksgiving.

Eventually, in 1941, Thanksgiving became a permanent federal holiday observed annually the fourth Thursday of November.

Does the American Thanksgiving holiday commemorate a singular historical event – the Pilgrims’ celebration of the first bountiful harvest in the New World – or is giving thanks to God an integral part of our American heritage?

Public ceremonies, dances, and feasts in response to a successful growing season were commonplace long before the Pilgrims arrived in America. Harvest festivals were observed annually in England and Native American tribes held harvest festivals for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America. Did the Pilgrims simply embrace the blending of Indian and European cultures?

While the First Thanksgiving did attach importance to the role of the Indians in the harvest and did blend Indian and European cultures, the tradition of giving thanks to God by settlers in the American colonies was more than a harvest festival. Two years earlier, in 1619, British settlers in the Berkeley Plantation, Virginia, prayed with public thanksgiving to God after their long voyage across the Atlantic.

The Pilgrims had sailed in 1620 seeking a refuge for religious freedom in America. Many did not survive the oceanic voyage nor the famine and sickness of the harsh winter that followed. After suffering hardship and grieving the deaths of loved ones, the Pilgrims acknowledged that all of their blessings were from God.

Holidays (holy days) of thanksgiving in America are expressions of gratitude to God reflecting the American character throughout history. Periods of public fasting, prayer and humiliation, repentance and humbling oneself before God, were followed by praises to God for His provision even through difficult circumstances.

The founders of our American form of government understood the Providence of God. At the beginning of the fight for independence, a national day of “Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer” was proclaimed by the First Continental Congress for July 20, 1775.

The following year, May 17, 1776, was declared by Congress as a “day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer” throughout the colonies. Soon after, the Declaration of Independence was completed, including these words, “…with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence.”

In 1782, near the end of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress issued a thanksgiving proclamation designating Thursday, the 28th of November, as a "day of solemn Thanksgiving to God for all his mercies."

The proclamation reveals the American character:

“It being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to Almighty God, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general…”

Seven years later, following approval of the Bill of Rights, members of the Continental Congress urged President Washington to proclaim a day of Thanksgiving. His first Thanksgiving proclamation in the new nation declared:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor...I do appoint Thursday, the 26th day of November 1789...that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection."

This statement was issued following  years of war on American soil during which many suffered and died.

In the midst of the Civil War, in March of 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed a day for prayer and fasting. Later that year, he declared a day of Thanksgiving for the last Thursday of November that included the following words: “We are prone to forget the Source from which (blessings) come…They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God…”

There was no victory to be celebrated at that time. In fact, both the Union and Confederate Armies suffered great losses that summer in the Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg. The outcome of the Civil War was uncertain. Nevertheless, it was part of the American character to praise God.

It was on December 26, 1941, that President Roosevelt established Thanksgiving as an annual federal holiday. This was only a few short weeks after that "day of infamy," the December 7th Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that forced the United States into World War II.

Throughout our history, the American character is to be faithful and trust in God’s providence. As noted by President George W. Bush on November 16, 2001, two months after the terrorist attacks on American soil, “During these extraordinary times, we find particular assurance from our Thanksgiving tradition, which reminds us that we, as a people and individually, always have reason to hope and trust in God, despite great adversity.”

In the face of adversity, Americans hope and pray and give thanks to God for His goodness - that is our American character.

© 2009 Yvonne K. Chapman

In fourteen hundred ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

So begins the classic poem children recite to remember that on October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on a small island in the Bahamas, convinced that he had reached the East Indies. How is that relevant to life today? What Columbus achieved is intrinsic to American life and, indeed, his influence is reflected in our values and our Constitution.

The respect of Columbus in America and his recognition as a founding figure dates back to colonial times. The 300th anniversary of Columbus’ first landing, in New York City in 1792, was organized by The Society of St. Tammany. This commemoration recognized that Columbus’ achievement was significant in blending Native American and European cultures in America. The Society was founded to honor a Native American Chief who played a prominent role in establishing peaceful relations between Native American tribes and English settlers. 

Chief Tammany symbolized the distinct identity of America, the synthesis of Native American and European cultures. Our Founding Fathers, many who were members of The Society, regarded American Indians as symbols of the peace, justice and freedom they were seeking. In rejecting European class systems and autocratic government, our Founding Fathers adopted concepts and values observed in native tribes such as a weak executive (except in war), popular participation in government, and charity for the poor. 

During the revolution, members of The Society called themselves the Sons of Liberty. Considering the Indian symbolic of their own rebellion against Britain, they adopted Indian symbols and imagery in their movement as exemplified in the Boston Tea Party. The Society of St. Tammany was also known as the Columbian Order; America was sometimes referred to as Columbia, in fact, the District of Columbia was named for Columbus.

Christopher Columbus, whose name means “the Christ bearer,” was a devout believer whose voyages were motivated, in part, to spread Christianity to the New World. Traditional historians view his voyages as opening the New World to Western civilization and Christianity and, in fact, thousands of European Christians followed Columbus to America to plant colonies, lead souls to Christ, and claim religious freedom. 

Indeed, it was Columbus’ faith in divine Providence that enabled him to persevere in seeking support for his project and to endure the adversities inherent in the oceanic adventure. Resolute in his journey, he defied scoffers who warned of dragons and death, withstood discomfort and threats of mutiny, faced cannibals and suffered hardships, along with those who sailed with him. In his writings he declared:

I attest that He…consoled me through the holy and sacred Scriptures…No one should be afraid to take on any enterprise in the name of our Savior if it is right and if the purpose is purely for His holy service.

Near the end of his return voyage, Columbus sent a letter for Ferdinand and Isabella announcing the discovery of the West Indies that further attests his faith:

As I know you will be rejoiced at the glorious success that our Lord has given me in my voyage … [where he discovered a great many islands, naming some San Salvador (Holy Savior), Santa Maria de la Concepcion (Mary, Mother of Jesus), Trinidad (Trinity), Vera Cruz (True Cross) and a city, La Navidad (Nativity or Christmas).]

The eternal and almighty God, our Lord, it is Who gives to all who walk in His way, victory over things apparently impossible … all Christendom should rejoice, celebrating it with great festivities and solemn Thanksgivings to the Holy Trinity, with fervent prayers for the high distinction that will accrue to them from turning so many peoples to our holy faith; and also from the temporal benefits that not only Spain but all Christian nations will obtain.

Columbus hoped to find a naval trade route to India and died believing he had reached the shores of Cathay. Instead, he found an entire continent mostly unknown to Europeans at the time. Critically underestimating the circumference of the Earth, he sought a westward route from Iberia to the Indies, shorter and more direct than overland through Arabia, so Spain could enter the profitable spice trade that the Arabs and Italians dominated. Instead, he landed within the Bahamas Archipelago and, mistaking the North-American island for the East-Asian mainland, referred to its inhabitants as "Indians."

Some modern social historians have vilified Columbus for the subsequent exploitation of the Americas by Europeans. For these few, his voyages symbolize the brutal aspects of European colonization and the beginning of the destruction of Native American peoples and culture. 

Columbus is blamed for the enslavement of the native Indians even though it is undisputed that slave trade was a way of life in Europe in Columbus’ time. He is disparaged for the spread of disease even though science was ignorant regarding germs and disease prevention. 

When Columbus returned to Hispaniola (now Haiti), he was appointed governor, and, frankly, did a miserable job. Nevertheless, it is fallacious to fault Columbus for the negative impact of European colonization on the Americas. History is clear that other Europeans, and perhaps East Asians, visited the Americas earlier; it was inevitable that others would have followed. 

Columbus’ voyages triggered great European interest in the New World. Great agricultural exchanges between Europe and the New World resulted from his voyages. The Indians introduced staple crops such as tobacco, potatoes, corn and peanuts to Europe; Europe introduced wheat, apples, grapes and horses to the New World. Exotic discoveries, such as parrots and other species, gold jewelry and other precious metals were shared with Europe. 

Early Americans celebrated the blending of Native American and European cultures on the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ first voyage. Columbus began our country’s legacy - explorers settled America to establish Christianity and its free exercise, colonists were greatly influenced by the Native American culture, and native tribes exemplified the success of government by the people that our Founding Fathers desired.