Indeed, a Rising Sun

A little piece of history

The War for Independence

Had been hard fought and won;

The Founders knew it was just a start,

They had only just begun

 

In 1787

There was a growing frustration

The new country was still governed

By Articles of Confederation

 

The men who gathered saw their task,

They knew they must be wise;

Create a brand new government,

And not simply revise

 

They gathered at the State House,

Now Independence Hall

George Washington would preside,

As was agreed by all

 

He sat upon a humble chair

And not a kingly throne

The sun’s image was carved there ~

Its status was unknown

 

After months of planning,

Of argument and debate,

The U.S. had a government

No monarch would dictate

 

Old Benjamin Franklin observed

When the proceedings were finally done

“I have the joy of knowing

It is indeed a rising sun.”

Author's Note

This is not meant to be a political statement. Just a little piece of history that I have always enjoyed. George Washington's chair still sits in Independence Hall, a reminder of the struggle to get it right, then and now.

Reviews

[Pryde Foltz]

We Canadian have kept our ties to the British throne and certainly there is an emotional connection but the rationality is a weak one. But our money sure is pretty:)

[Rita L. Sev]

:) Thanks for reading, Pryde!

[ron]

I didn't know the Independence Hall was originally called the State House. Thank you. These are so awesome they should be put in the text book to make it easier for schools to teach.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Ron! These are fun to write. You would enjoy a visit to Independence Park!

[ron]

I would love to visit Independence Park. I must confess I do not know what Independence Park is or were it is.

[Rita L. Sev]

Ah - Independence National Historic Park is in Philadelphia. It is "the most historic square mile in the country". Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, Christ Church (where many of the founders worshipped)... Original buildings where history was made, the sites of the Revolution from the place where it all began. Here is the website: http://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm

[ron]

WOW. Thank you I will look it up.

[Angel]

A very interesting bit of history indeed, Dear Teacher...you have earned your apple for today! Make that hot apple pie with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream...yum!!
I don't remember ever reading about the chair before, or old Ben's remark. Is that a picture of the actual chair? From what we can see, it looks quite beautiful.
Very interesting piece. Perhaps I will go to the park to watch the fireworks after all...

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angel - and yes, I'll take that pie! That is the actual chair. It (the original) still sits in Washington's spot in Independence Hall. My husband, being a Ranger, has put his hand on that sun (gently - and NO ONE sits in it!) This is a story told at each tour of the Hall. And yes, Franklin did indeed make that remark. :) Enjoy those fireworks!

[Aethereal]

This is a magnificent poem with a good rhyming flow to it. I was astonished to fine that George Washington's chair had a rising sun carved into it because of what that implies. The ancients always saw the rising sun as the Cosmic Eye, the eye of Zeus, or Horus. The eagle had been used as a symbol for the rising sun so this carving must have been a harbinger of the use of the eagle as one our national symbols. Now we would have an eagle carved into the chair as a symbol for the rising sun.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you. The chair still sits in Independence Hall; this story is told at every tour.

[Rogue]

This is a well done glimpse of how a nation was born.

Very thoughtfully put together, Rita. :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Rogue! In the "history mode" this week... :)

[fireblossom]

I enjoyed this poem. It told the event in very simple terms and made history interesting. (as it should be :-)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you - I am glad you found it interesting! Maybe I will read it to my classes... ;)

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

A brilliant work touches the core of history, love it. I really like the vintage feel in reading this piece. The progression is stunning.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Marc!

[PP]

This is an awesome piece...how marvellous it is that our tales of freedom kind of connect us! I love history myself 'cos its is a classic example of drama and commitment..guess that is what distinguishes mankind from the rest..nicely written Rita :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Prathama! You are right that history is drama and commitment. The ultimate "soap opera" of the past!

[Damien Thibodeaux]

You continue to amaze with your talent for writing. I love American history and this a well written, very patriotic piece.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Damien. I love these odd little tidbits of America's past.