A Shot Heard Around the World 

In the 1600s and 1700s, Europeans came to North America looking for religious freedom, economic opportunities, and political liberty.  The first permanent English settlement was established in Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 with a population of 104. By 1776, the English-speaking population in North America grew to approximately 2.5 million.  For 169 years, from 1607 – 1776, people in North America were governed by the English monarchy. 

By 1776, the British Empire controlled significant parts of the world, including large swathes of North America, parts of the Caribbean, and territories in Asia and Africa.  Britain was a major global power with extensive trade networks and a powerful navy.  At the start of the American Revolution, the British navy consisted of over 270 ships of various sizes including powerful ships-of-the-line, smaller sloops, and various other vessels.  By the end of the war, the British navy had grown to nearly 500 ships.   

There were many reasons why people left England, dared the dangerous Atlantic crossing to North America, and endured the many hardships once in North America. Many early settlers, like the pilgrims, left England to escape religious persecution by the Church of England.  The Industrial Revolution led to widespread poverty and unemployment in Britain, making the prospect of a new life with economic opportunities in America very appealing. Some sought more control over their own governance and felt they were being taxed without representation.  The colonies offered a chance for social advancement, with less emphasis on rigid class structures than in Europe. 

The first shots of the American Revolutionary War (American War of Independence) were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775.  Significant battles during the American Revolutionary War included Siege of Boston (1775-1776 when the Continental Army surrounded Boston, leading to eventual British evacuation, Battles of Saratoga (September-October 1777) which convinced France to support America, Battle of Trenton (December 26, 1776), Battle of Cowpens (January 17, 1781), and the Siege of Yorktown (September-October 1781).

During the American Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, five years before the victory at Yorktown and eight years before the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the American Revolutionary War.  America was founded on an EXCEPTIONAL idea, rooted in the belief that the United States was founded on an idea, an idea of liberty, individualism, and democracy. 

The Declaration of Independence announced the separation of the 13 colonies from Britain, and it contains several important concepts including that all men are created equal, endowed with certain unalienable rights, and that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.  A new nation was born.  

Today, we honor the signing of our Declaration of Independence – a moment that gave birth to the idea of freedom from tyranny.  It’s a time to reflect on the profound significance of that vision and the ongoing sacrifices required to preserve it.  A vital part of that effort is patriots like you who stand up to protect and defend the Second Amendment, a significant part of the Constitution of the United States.

Life can be hectic, and I truly understand how valuable your time is.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting SCOPE and its mission.  I wish you, your family, and your friends a joyful and safe Fourth of July 2025. 

With All Honor and Respect,

John R. Elwood