On June 8, 1783, General George Washington wrote a prayer for his young nation. This prayer is read each day at the wreath-laying ceremony at his grave at Mount Vernon. Over 237 years later, his words and request are just as timely and needed:

“I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in His holy protection, that He would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without a humble imitation of Whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. Amen.”

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Read more fun facts about the American Revolution.