The United States of America was named 249 years ago to replace the name United Colonies. It was called America after Amerigo Vespucci, who figured out that this place (Canada, the United States and Mexico) was its own continent.
This land ranges from Death Valley, 282 feet below sea level, to Mt. McKinley at 20,310 above sea level.
The United States has seacoasts, deserts, high plains, mountains, rainforests and islands. Our history is rooted in revolution, which implies that it wasn’t given to us, we took it. We took it from the indigenous people who lived here, and we took it from the British who wish they did.
We also took responsibility for it. We have tried to make this a land of equality, inclusion, national liberty and individual freedom.
We have mandatory education resulting in a competent work force. We are the parents of country, blues, jazz, gospel R&B and rock music.
And we have capitalism, resulting in mostly greed, but we’re still immature and will figure it out.
Happy Birthday, Country!