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.

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.

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.