Today's American Minute

John Adams on Government: Christian Virtue Necessary for Liberty - American Minute with Bill Federer

August 09, 2025 • & the Need for Christian Virtue - American Minute with Bill Federer • The Wisdom of John Adams: on Liberty • Tyranny

On June 21, 1776, John Adams wrote: "Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand."

Second Great Awakening Revival "No person seemed to wish to go home - hunger and sleep seemed to affect nobody - eternal things were the vast concern" - American Minute with Bill Federer

August 07, 2025 • Second Great Awakening Revival "No person seemed to wish to go home - hunger and sleep seemed to affect nobody - eternal things were the vast concern"

In July of 1800, the congregation planned another camp meeting at the Gaspar River. Surpassing their expectations, 8,000 people arrived, some from over 100 miles away: "The power of God seemed to shake the whole assembly. Towards the close of the sermon, the cries of the distressed arose almost as loud as his voice.

After the congregation was dismissed the solemnity increased, till the greater part of the multitude seemed engaged in the most solemn manner ..

David Livingstone, Scottish Missionary to the Congo - Arab Muslim slave trade "a monster brooding over Africa" - American Minute with Bill Federer

August 04, 2025 • Dr. David Livingstone • Scottish Missionary to the Congo - Arab Muslim slave trade is "a monster brooding over Africa"

Describing the Muslim slave trade as "a monster brooding over Africa," Livingstone once walked 120 miles near Lake Nyasa without seeing a single human being, as Arab slave traders had so depopulated the area.

Tisha B'Av: Jerusalem destroyed by Babylon and Rome - American Minute with Bill Federer

August 03, 2025 • destroyed by Babylon • Jerusalem: Tisha B'Av • recognized as Capital of Israel • Rome • then after centuries

Tisha B'Av in the year 587 B.C. was the day the Babylonians destroyed Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, and carried the Tribe of Judah into captivity.

Jefferson & The Barbary Pirate Wars with Morocco, Algiers, Tunis & Tripoli - American Minute with Bill Federer

July 30, 2025 • Algiers • Jefferson & The Barbary Pirate Wars with Morocco • Tunis & Tripoli

Immediately after Jefferson became President in 1801, Barbary pirates demanded $225,000, plus an annual tribute of $25,000. When Jefferson refused, the Pasha (Lord) of Tripoli declared war -- the first war the U.S. was in after becoming a nation. Jefferson sent U.S. frigates to the Mediterranean to protect American shipping.