Free Republic

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution designating the National Rifle Association a "domestic terrorist organization." While the NRA has taken no actions to terrorize anyone, District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani maintained that "their continued support for the Second Amendment is terrifying to me. The idea that every American should have the right to own a gun despite the government's preference that they not, undermines respect for authority." Stefani characterized the NRA's position as "an anachronism. At one time firearms were a very useful tool for bagging game and feeding the family. But now they are unnecessary....

Put yourself, in your mind’s eye, back in June 1776, specifically, the period between June 7 and July 1. It is precisely at that time that one of the most crucial political battles in the history of the American republic was fought—the battle over whether the American colonists would, as thirteen united colonies, declare independence to the world. Without that bold step—which put every outspoken leader, national or local, at risk of prison or death—the United States of America would never have been born.Yet the chief leaders of the American Revolution had a serious problem. Despite the broad support for...

In June of 1775, citizens acting as merchant mariners captured the British schooner HMS Margaretta around Machias, Massachusetts (present-day Maine). That same month, General George Washington, with the help of merchant ship owner Colonel John Glover of Marblehead, Massachusetts, chartered and outfitted several ships to interrupt the British supplies. The marker at the base of John Glover’s statue in Boston states: “John Glover of Marblehead – A Soldier of the Revolution. He commanded a regiment of one thousand men raised in that town known as the marine regiment, and enlisted to serve throughout the war. He joined the camp at...

The Continental Congress in Philadelphia approved the final text of the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July, but it wasn't until July 8, 1776 that the historic document had been printed and could be publicly read. From the tower at Independence Hall the great bell rang out, summoning citizens to hear the new nation's proclamation of sovereignty. What we know today as the Liberty Bell had not yet acquired its iconic crack. But its noteworthy inscription was plain to see: "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." Those words hadn't been drafted by one...

FOR a hundred years, American students have been taught that the Fourth of July and the American Revolution were mainly political and economic events - triumphs of the secular forces of rationalism in human history. But don't expect to be given that view in Harry Stout's class. Dr. Stout is a professor at Yale University and one of the leaders of a quietly growing number of scholars who, using a new blend of intellectual and social history, have begun to find a religious consciousness and motive at the center of the American Revolution. For Stout - whose nine-year study of...

The Declaration of Dependence signed by 547 New York City Loyalists in November 1776 was not the only such declaration written and signed by loyal inhabitants of the colony of New York soon after British military forces established their presence in the region. At least three others are known to exist, bearing a total of 3,414 signatures of individuals willing to pledge their support of, and subservience to, the British government.In the December 1776 issue of the London publication The Lady’s Magazine or Entertaining Companion the Fair Sex, Appropriated Solely to Their Use and Amusement under “Home News,” this article...

Here’s a topic to “brooch”! Queen Elizabeth II may have thrown a little shade toward President Donald Trump with the jewelry she donned on Thursday, July 12, the same day Trump arrived in England. The small green flower brooch the British monarch wore on Thursday as she welcomed the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to Windsor Castle has special significance. Dubbed the American State Visit Brooch, the vintage jewelry item was a gift from former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama from their state visit in 2011. According to Politico, the Obamas purchased...

THE QUEEN was left to take on her royal duty alone when she met Donald Trump and wife Melania, with Prince Charles and Prince William refusing to join in the elaborate welcome. Senior members of the Royal Family, including the first and second in line to the throne, had informal discussions about the trip, and let it be known they did not want to take part in arrangements for the US President’s four-day UK visit. Downing Street and Buckingham Palace both said as Trump’s tour of the UK was not an official state visit, there was a singular plan to...

Complete Headline: Royal family 'snub' Trump: Prince Charles and Prince William forced the Queen to meet the US president alone after they refused to take part in his four-day-tour of Britain Prince Charles and Prince William 'snubbed' Trump during his visit to Britain Royal father and son apparently shared their desire to not take part in the trip The first two in line to the throne did have other engagements during stay Prince Charles and Prince William reportedly 'snubbed' the US President during his visit to Britain - leaving the Queen to meet Donald Trump alone at Windsor Castle. The...

President Trump met with the queen of England today and committed several protocol gaffes that left many feeling that his behavior was an insult to Britain and lacked the respect that should be shown the monarch — and if not a monarch, a 92-year-old woman. The president was soundly condemned on social media for walking in front of Queen Elizabeth as they inspected a guard of honor of the Coldstream Guards. The queen was forced to bob and weave as she caught up to walk alongside him. Trump did appear to notice, and in the video below you’ll see that...

...No two men now live, fellow-citizen, perhaps it may be doubted whether any two men have ever lived in one age, who, more than those we now commemorate, have impressed on mankind their own opinions more deeply into the opinions of others, or given a more lasting direction to the current of human thought. Their work doth not perish with them. The tree which they assisted to plant will flourish, although they water it and protect it no longer; for it has struck its roots deep, it has sent them to the very centre; no storm, not of force to...

Since ascending to the throne in 1952, the monarch has seen 13 prime ministers serve Britain and lived through another 13 US presidents. She's now 92. At some point — not for many years yet, we hope — Queen Elizabeth II's reign will come to an end. But what happens then? For at least 12 days — between her passing, the funeral and beyond — Britain will grind to a halt. The stock markets and banks are likely to close. But to focus on the financial disruption doesn't begin to describe the sheer magnitude of the queen's death. It will...

It is inevitable that I should seem a rather remote figure to many of you. A successor to the Kings and Queens of history; someone whose face may be familiar in newspapers and films but who never really touches your personal lives. But now at least for a few minutes I welcome you to the peace of my own home. That it is possible for some of you to see me today is just another example of the speed at which things are changing all around us. Because of these changes I am not surprised that many people feel lost...

Well, today was the big day for Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, so it seems appropriate to offer a few Royal romances as our Saturday movie date. The most directly relevant movie, Royal Wedding, made in 1947, was set in London against the background of Prince Harry's grandparents' nuptials and starred Fred Astaire and an actress whose dad was an actual guest at the actual real-life wedding - Sarah Churchill, daughter of Winston. But I'll say a few words about that tomorrow night in our Song of the Week department, and today cast our net a...

The ceremony itself featured an African-American bishop who cited the American civil rights movement and quoted Martin Luther King Jr. as often as he did Jesus. The couple opted for a secular song, “Stand by Me,” performed by a predominantly black gospel choir—jaws literally dropped—in addition to old-school Christian hymns sung by the congregation. The traditional Anglican vows were altered slightly to allow the outspoken feminist Markle to opt out of the traditional promise to obey her husband. While the acceptance of people of color into the royal fold is a welcome and long-overdue change, the acceptance of divorce and...

(AFP) — Prince Harry and his bride Meghan Markle will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after their wedding on Saturday, Buckingham Palace announced just hours before the ceremony. “The Queen has today been pleased to confer a dukedom on Prince Henry of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel,” it said in a statement. “Prince Harry thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, and Ms. Meghan Markle on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.” A dukedom is the highest rank in the British...

The Queen has officially welcomed Meghan Markle to the royal family following her wedding to grandson Prince Harry. Earlier today the monarch bestowed the couple with the royal titles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Following the announcement the Queen attended the ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor on Saturday.

A US bishop stole the show with his fiery address at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. The Most Reverend Michael Curry has been praised for his passionate speech which touched upon slavery, the Old Testament and even quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Many of social media were delighted to see the American reverend 'shake up' the traditional royal proceedings. The preacher also provoked a few chuckles in the chapel - and even Harry and Meghan couldn't help but giggle at one point.

Meghan Markle will make a striking feminist statement in her wedding to Prince Harry on Saturday, choosing not to be chaperoned for much of the procession down the aisle of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, CNN has learned. In an unprecedented step for a royal bride in the UK, Markle will walk unescorted down the aisle of the chapel nave, after being met at the West Door by a member of the clergy. She will be accompanied in this first part of the wedding procession only by her bridesmaids and page boys, with the senior church figure walking ahead. Prince Charles...

During the American Revolution, Patriot General George Washington crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of substantial defeats for Washington’s army that had resulted in the loss of New York City and other strategic points in the region. At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington’s army commenced its crossing of the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully braved the icy and freezing river and reached the New Jersey side of the...