Happy Independence Day!

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, celebrates the birth of the United States as a new nation. It recognizes the historic adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress, which cut ties between the American colonies and Great Britain.

People from across the world came to America for political and religious freedoms, as well as economic opportunities. Our country values individual rights and self-government. For these reasons, in 1874 our Mennonite family, who had settled in Catherine the Great’s Russia in the 1700s, made the difficult decision to leave their villages in search of the same freedoms. When these German Mennonites moved to Russia in the 1700s, they were promised freedom to control their own schools and churches, to continue using their German language and traditions, and to be exempt from serving in the Russian military. But when Czar Alexander II took over Russia in 1870, he decided that all the Germans living in what is now Ukraine needed to be Russianized, and that the days of special privileges were over. This new program would take effect in ten years.

In the German Mennonite villages of Russia, leaders elected 12 men to travel to North America and scout out locations that would be favorable for families to relocate to in the wake of the Czar’s new proclamation. Katy’s uncle, Andreas Schrag, was one of the twelve scouts chosen for this task. After exploring Minnesota, Canada, the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas, Andreas sailed home five months later with favorable reports of this fertile, productive land. Plans were put in motion to immigrate to the United States and start a new life with the freedoms America could offer.

In March of 1874, Katy’s family, along with ten other families, began the long journey across Europe and the Atlantic Ocean, finally arriving in New York’s Castle Garden in May. Arriving in a strange new land and not understanding the language, the families bravely boarded a train and headed west to the Dakota Territory, where they would be free to live the lives they had always desired.

Interestingly, in the  pursuit of our family history, we found that our 6th great-grandfather on our mother’s side was a Patriot in the Revolutionary War who supported the colonists in their fight against the British. As a Mennonite living in Skippack, Pennsylvania (just north of Philadelphia), he was recognized for “Patriotic Service” rather than active militia service, notably for paying the 1780 Supply Tax to aid the war effort. One of his sons did serve in the Philadelphia County Militia. Even Mennonites and Quakers living during this volatile time had to choose which side to support. Many, of course, were loyal to the King and helped house and feed soldiers on both sides of the war. We find it riveting that the experiences of our mother’s family paved the way to a new free country for Katy and our Mueller family.

Today, we are thankful for the freedoms this country offers us: freedom of speech and the press, freedom to practice the religion of our choice, freedom to vote and participate in our country’s democratic process, and so many others.

As we celebrate our country’s 250th birthday this weekend, please take a moment to remember all that this country has provided us and, even with its flaws, how lucky we are to live in this nation. Then carry that gratitude with you as you honor the people who came before you and celebrate this holiday.