Historical Event Timeline
1876
The Philadelphia Centennial Exposition.

On the occasion of the Centennial celebration of the United 14 States of America, Reverend Samuel Chenery Damon, writing for The Friend July 4, 1876, extolled the special significance of this memorable event stating “The dawn of American Liberty is one of the sublime things of history. Fraught with mighty meaning to the great men, whose hearts bore the burden of their country’s weal or woe. They never faltered in their trust, but chose above all things else to keep unstained their country’s honor. Amid such scene began the first century of our national existence. To such sources may we trace our “Declaration of Independence” which, says Bancroft, “was for its composer the aurora of enduring fame.” These and other illuminating citations published in The Friend would serve to confirm and advance the call for annexation. A call that would place the Hawaiian Islands on the path to statehood.