"These are the times that try men's souls." Thomas Paine, Revolutionary War Founding Father, The American Crisis, December 1776.

"We are either a united people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a Nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it." Father of our Country and first President of the United States, George Washington, in a letter to James Madison, November 1785.

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.

"Men, you are all marksmen - don't one of you fire until you see the whites of their eyes. Then fire low!" Israel Putnam, repeated by Colonel Prescott to the men, June 1775 at Bunker Hill.

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Nathan Hale, before being hanged by the British, in September 1776.

"There, I guess King George will be able to read that." John Hancock, Remark, at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.

"I have not yet begun to fight!" John Paul Jones, Revolutionary War Naval Officer, response to enemy demand to surrender, September 1779.