PATRIOT WEEK: American Patriotism is Beyond Loving the Soil, It is Loving Our First Principles

Renewing the American Spirit

Patriot Week begins on 9/11 and ends on 9/17 (the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution (Constitution Day)) and renews America’s spirit by celebrating the First Principles, Founding Fathers and other Patriots, vital documents and speeches, and flags that make America the greatest nation in world history. Many of current holidays have become overly commercialized or have lost their deeper meaning. We need to invigorate our appreciation and understanding of America’s spirit. This blog is dedicated to keeping the spirit of Patriot Week - and America - alive all year long.....

Saturday, August 27, 2011

American Patriotism is Beyond Loving the Soil, It is Loving Our First Principles

Noah Webster's An American Dictionary of the English Language from 1828 defines patriotism as follows: n. Love of one's country; the passion which aims to serve one's country, either in defending it from invasion, or protecting its rights and maintaining its laws and institutions in vigor and purity. Patriotism is the characteristic of a good citizen, the noblest passion that animates a man in the character of a citizen.  

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 11th Edition from 2004 defines patriotism as: n. Love for or devotion to one's country.

[Credit to Tara Russo for finding these definitions!]

Interestingly, the definition of Noah Webster - who was a true Patriot - has a much deeper and richer meaning. It is beyond loving the soil. It is loving and understanding our Founding First Principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence and embedded in our Constitution. The modern day version of Patriotism, like so much of society, completely ignores the deeper meaning. And with its passing, we lose what it means to be an American. That's why we need Patriot Week..