The America’s Birthday Road Trip

by MEGAN TAYLOR

Happy Birthday, America! On July 4th, people throughout the country will gather together to celebrate our nation’s special day in many different ways from cookouts to fireworks and everything in between. These traditional festivities are usually single day events hosted on July 4th or the surrounding days, but there is one festivity that can be done to honor America’s birthday that lasts more than one day and allows you to see historic places throughout our beautiful country.

The America’s Birthday Road Trip is a great way to commemorate, as well as, learn about and experience our nation’s 247th year firsthand. This road trip focuses on places related to the birth of the United States and the Revolutionary War, as we recognize these events on America’s birthday. Whether you are driving, flying or taking another mode of transportation, don’t forget to have the soundtrack of the Broadway play, “Hamilton” playing in the background. Here are the spots you should include on your America’s Birthday Road Trip.

First, let’s start right here in North Carolina with the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro. On March 15, 1781, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse occurred between the army of British General Charles Lord Cornwallis and the Continental army under Major General Nathaneal Greene. By the time the two-hour battle ended, more than 25 percent of the British troops were killed, wounded or captured.

Next, head north, out of North Carolina, to Williamsburg, Virginia. Historic Williamsburg was the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780. During the Revolutionary War, the city was a huge supporter and provided goods and services to help soldiers fighting. Lastly, Williamsburg forms the “Historic Triangle” with cities Jamestown (the home of the first permanent English settlement in North America) and Yorktown. Speaking of Yorktown, Virginia, it should be one of your next stops on the road trip. It is famous for, well, the end of the Revolutionary War and being the spot where America’s independence was won from the British. At the Yorktown Battlefield in fall of 1781, General George Washington surrounded General Cornwallis’ British army, causing Cornwallis to surrender and the American Revolution came to an end.

Other places to visit in Virginia include Mount Vernon (the home of president George Washington), Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s home) and the Arlington National Cemetery, which is actually located in Arlington, Virginia, right across the river from Washington, D.C. Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most peaceful and solemn places I have ever visited, and I highly recommend adding it to your road trip. The cemetery was built during the Civil War on land named Arlington Estate, which was confiscated from Confederate Army general Robert E. Lee due to tax issues.

Continue heading north to Washington, D.C. Of course, you can’t go to our nation’s capital without a stop by the White House, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Also, take time to visit the memorials for the various wars, including World War II, Vietnam and Korea. As for the American Revolution, visit Constitution Gardens which is a memorial island, honoring the signers of the Declaration of Independence and explores the history of the U.S. Constitution.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is our last destination. The city of brotherly love, cheesesteak and the birthplace of America has a significant site on almost every corner. While in the city, go to Independence Hall, the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the United States Constitution was debated. You will get chills walking the floors and seeing where the Founding Fathers stood as they officially gave America its freedom from England. Next, you can’t miss visiting the Liberty Bell and Valley Forge National Historical Park, which is northwest of Philadelphia.

For your road trip, you can also head to Delaware, New York, New Jersey and other states for revolutionary stops. These aren’t the only attractions you and your loved ones could visit on America’s Birthday Road trip, but just a handful of what’s available. These sites are filled with history and a sense of pride, as visitors learn about what our Founding Fathers and those in that time period experienced as they fought for America’s independence, which fast-forward 247 years, we are still celebrating.

Anger is commonly defined as “a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure or hostility.” The Mayo Clinic says that anger is a natural response to a perceived threat against our wellbeing or position. This response causes the body to release adrenaline, muscles to tighten, and heart rate and blood pressure to increase. As humans, we ARE going to get angry sometimes; it’s just part of life. Although feeling anger is sometimes normal, we should not cling to these feelings and act out or hold grudges.

So, what makes you angry? I occasionally get road rage. And, I certainly get angry if someone is ugly to my kids or a loved one. Certain people (won’t mention names here) tend to push my buttons to the point that I lose my cool at times. I’m sure none of you have had this problem, but I used to feel like I was doing everything around the house and that I wasn’t valued – and would eventually erupt on my family members. I have chilled in my older age and don’t tend to grow angry as quickly as I used to.

The Bible teaches that uncontrolled anger is harmful, both to the person who harbors it and to those around him or her. (Proverbs 29:22) Further, the Bible says that those who continue to have “fits of anger” will not inherit God’s kingdom. (Galatians 5:1921) Remember Cain? Cain “grew hot with anger” when God rejected his sacrifice. Cain’s anger then festered to the point that he murdered his brother. (Genesis 4:3-8)

James 1:19 says “. . . let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” He isn’t necessarily saying that anger is wrong but is telling us not to be quick-tempered. Paul told the Ephesians pretty much the same thing: “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger . . .” (Ephesians 4:26) I can think of lots of times when the sun went down on my anger. I have slept on the very corner of the bed trying my best not to touch my husband because I was angry about something.

Here are five methods of controlling your anger, so it doesn’t get the best of you.

1. Just say no – When you feel yourself getting upset, immediately say “No!” to those thoughts and feelings. Instead of letting the anger control you, take some deep breaths and say a prayer.

2. Take a break – Proverbs 17:14 says “Before the quarrel breaks out, take your leave.” Although you should try to settle differences quickly, sometimes you may need to take a break and cool down before you address the situation with the other people.

3. Get the facts – Proverbs 19:11 says, “the insight of a man certainly slows down his anger.” Gather all the facts and get all sides of the story before jumping to conclusions.

4. Give others a little grace – Remember that most of us are going through difficulties in our lives. Recognize that there are probably underlying reasons that others may be behaving badly and give them some grace.

5. Pray for a peaceful mind – Through prayer, we can experience “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7)

“The one slow to anger is better than a mighty man.” Proverbs 16:32