Robert Ingraham, 21 June 2026

As an informal “America 250” address, Robert "Bob" Ingraham argues the Revolution was primarily a fight against tyranny rather than a tax revolt, noting taxation appears only once in the Declaration of Independence’s grievances. He presents the “Black Regiment”—a British term for colonial Christian ministers in black robes—as key leaders who preached that rights come from God, recruited thousands into Washington’s army and state militias, and often fought themselves. Using examples from Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, and the defense of Philadelphia, he cites sermons, ministers’ actions, and British targeting of non-Anglican churches and clergy. He also quotes Washington’s distributed wartime prayer, Continental Congress proclamations for fasting and prayer (1775, 1776), and Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving proclamation, concluding that America today should reflect on the Revolution’s guiding principles.