ИПИ Библиотека

The Founders' Almanac is an easy-to-use guide to the origins of American democracy — focusing on information that is especially valuable for our day. The calendar describes important events of the era. Biographical essays introduce the leading Founders — including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams — and discuss the major themes of their statesmanship. An extensive compilation of quotations reflects the wit and wisdom of the Founding generation, and an annotated bibliography suggests additional readings. Historical documents — the Declaration of Independance, the United States Constitution and Washington's Farewell Address — and interpretative essays reaquaint the reader with immortal words and their contemporary meaning.

America is unique in that its ends are defined by its beginnings. The remarkable generation that founded our great nation led an improbable yet successful revolution against the stronger military power of the time. They declared their independence based on self-evident truths, asserting a new basis of political rule in the sovereignty of the people and launching an experiment in self-government. Through a carefully written constitution that limits power and secures rights while allowing for change through its own amendment, they created an enduring framework of republican government that bestows upon their posterity the same blessing of liberty. Their creed, proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence are promulgated by the United States Constitution, is our creed. It instruct us, guides us, and inspires us, still.

Mathew Spalding (editor)

Dr. Mathew Spalding is Director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies at The Heritage Foundation and is an adjunct fellow with the Claremont Institute. He is a co-author and a co-editor of books on George Washington. Spalding also serves on the Board of Academic Advisors at Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia.