An American Christmas
25 Decades
USA
1780 - 1789
Off the heels of the Revolutionary War, which was officially ended on September 3, 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, America began to lay its foundation.
- In 1788, the Constitution was adopted and George Washington became our first president one year later.
- That same year, Justice Scales started being incorporated into the nation's imagery and architecture.
- Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday but was originally celebrated with a pheasant as the feast's centerpiece.
- The bald eagle was chosen as the national bird because of its strength, majestic look, and unlimited freedom to roam.
- Through the Constitution, States begin to set voting requirements.
Posted: December 2025
1780 - 1789
American Christmas Tree
Bald Eagle
June 20, 1782
The bald eagle is the national symbol of the United States. The Continental Congress adopted it as the national emblem in 1782. The design for the Great Seal of the United States depicts a bald eagle grasping 13 arrows and an olive branch with 13 leaves with its talons.
Signing of the Constitution
September 17, 1787
Howard Chandler Christy's painting, Signing of the Constitution
Independence Hall in Philadelphia: George Washington stands on the platform next to Richard Spaight of North Carolina, who is signing the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin is seated in the center, Alexander Hamilton's leaning toward him, with James Madison farther to the right.
Completed in 1940, the 20-by-30-foot framed oil-on-canvas scene is displayed in the east grand stairway of the House wing of the United States Capitol.
Colonial Man
Colonial Woman
Tricorn Hat
Surrender At Yorktown
October 19, 1781
This was the unofficial end of the Revolutionary War
Painting: Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown by John Trumbull
Treaty of Paris
September 3, 1783
Officially ended the Revolutionary War and recognized the Thirteen Colonies to be free, sovereign, and independent states.
Bifocals
1784
Benjamin Franklin had his optician cut the lenses of his long-distance glasses in half and then cut the lenses of his reading glasses in half and then put them together. Distance lenses on top and reading lenses on the bottom. Franklin called them double spectacles.
The Constitution
September 17, 1787
The Constitution of the United States
- September 17, 1787 Signed
- June 21, 1788 Ratified by the states
- March 4, 1789 New government begins operating
Preamble
September 17, 1787
The Constitution of the United States
A preamble is the introduction to a formal document
Justice Scales
1788
Started being incorporated into the nation's imagery and architecture.
George Washington
1789
1st U.S. President
George Washington
George Washington
1789-1797
Thanksgiving Turkey
November 26, 1789
President George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving proclamation, designating a day of public thanks for the Constitution.
Pheasant
November 26, 1789
Pheasant was the Thanksgiving feast's centerpiece
Pheasant
November 26, 1789
Horn of Plenty
November 26, 1789