Preserving Liberty: People Who Took a Stand

by Dena Bless
Mar. 23, 2026

Editor’s Note: As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country and look to our Convention theme of Preserving Liberty, we are doing a special series of blogs over the next few months about different aspects of the founding of our country. 

There are so many important people that were crucial to the foundation of our country that it would be impossible to name them all here. Following are some activities, links, and reading lists to help you explore this topic. There are different categories listed in case you are interested in a specific group.

Matching Games

• He Used to be What? When our country first started, many of the people who served had other jobs that were their main livelihood, before they had “greatness thrust upon them.” Others were already serving in the public realm. Can you match the person to their previous occupation? Some may be new names to you, and some may surprise you. The variety shows how God grants and uses a wide variety of talents to accomplish His purposes. 

• Who Said It? There are many famous quotes and rallying cries as leaders of the Revolution tried to drum up support and move people to action. Can you match the quote with the orator?

Fact or Fiction?

There are many astounding truths, and many myths, surrounding some of the more notable characters of the emergence of our country’s independence. Did George Washington really chop down a cherry tree or have wooden teeth? Who wanted to be President, and who was reticent about taking on an important role or title? Did John Adams really write numerous letters to his wife, Abigail? How many inventions did Benjamin Franklin create, and are any still in use today? Did he institute Daylight Savings Time?

• George Washington and the Cherry Tree (U.S. National Park Service)

• Ten Misconceptions About Washington | George Washington's Mount Vernon

• A President by Any Other Name | George Washington's Mount Vernon

• 10 little-known facts about the ultimate patriot, John Adams | Constitution Center

• 25 Facts About John Adams

• John Adams | National Geographic Kids

• Did Ben Franklin Invent Daylight Saving Time? | The Franklin Institute

• Benjamin Franklin’s Inventions | The Franklin Institute

• Benjamin Franklin | George Washington's Mount Vernon

Significant, But Lesser Known

There are many others that played significant roles in founding our country, but you may not have ever heard of them. For a taste of some of those you might want to learn more about, see the following links:

• 6 Unsung Heroes of the American Revolution | Hictory.com

• 8 Forgotten Figures From the American Revolution | Mental Floss

• Dr Joseph Warren (U.S. National Park Service)

• John Warren's Loss of His Brother Joseph Warren - Journal of the American Revolution

Women in the War

From spies to soldiers to nurses to wives who influenced politics or traveled with their soldier husbands and cared for the troops, women of all positions in life were crucial to the success of the Revolution. This article from Battlefields.org has a great overview of many prominent women from the birth of our country with links for more specific info on notable women (some very young!) like Abigail Adams, Deborah Sampson, Sybil Luddington, Phillis Wheatley, and more.

• Women in War | American Battlefield Trust (Battlefields.org)

• Healing Heroines | American Battlefield Trust

• Spies of the Revolutionary War | American Battlefield Trust

Minorities in the War

Were you aware that there were soldiers of many backgrounds that all served together in the Revolutionary War? You can read some of their stories here:

• Introduction - Racial, Ethnic, and Religious Minorities in the Revolutionary War: A Resource Guide - Research Guides at Library of Congress

• African Americans and the American Revolution | Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, VA

• 10 Facts: Black Patriots in the American Revolution | American Battlefield Trust

Reading List Ideas

I will always recommend the YWAM biographies series for both older and younger students. For the other lists below, you might want to look at the book before your child reads it to make sure it’s appropriate.

• Sybil Ludington's Midnight Ride by Marsha Amstel (Just have to put this one on the list as it was a favorite of my older daughter when she was young – of course she was horse crazy as well!)

• Founding Father's Reading List

• America 250 Reading List: A Journey Through Stories that Shaped a Nation (35 books)

• Founders Reading List

Isn’t it amazing how many people of all walks of life played an important role in the birth of our country? Which one was most surprising to you? Is there someone else mentioned that you want to learn about now?

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Dena Bless is extremely grateful for the many freedoms we enjoy in our country. The freedom to homeschool her two daughters and raise them in the Lord was a tremendous blessing to their entire family. She loves being a part of CHEA, Preserving Liberty for families across the state, and encouraging the families to embrace it.