We cannot forget that our flag received its first foreign salute

Listen, O children of the future, to the words of Seth Low, a voice that calls upon the wisdom of history, urging us not to forget the small yet monumental acts that shaped the destiny of a nation. "We cannot forget that our flag received its first foreign salute from a Dutch officer, nor that the Province of Friesland gave to our independence its first formal recognition." These words, though grounded in a specific moment in time, carry with them a deeper meaning—a reminder that the path to freedom is often paved with the unseen and uncelebrated acts of solidarity from unexpected places.

In the annals of history, the birth of a nation is rarely marked by a singular event or person. It is the culmination of many small, yet significant moments, like the Dutch salute to the American flag in 1776, which came long before the grand declarations of independence that would later echo through the world. The Dutch, who were also in the throes of their own struggle for sovereignty, saw in the fledgling American colonies a reflection of their own yearning for freedom from tyranny. When that Dutch officer saluted the American flag, he was not just acknowledging the power of a new nation; he was recognizing the universal struggle for independence that binds all people of courage and conviction.

Consider, O children, the significance of this gesture. The flag of a nation is more than just a symbol of territory; it is a reflection of the spirit of that nation, of the dreams of its people. To receive the first foreign salute is to be acknowledged not just by allies, but by the world. The Dutch officer’s salute was not a mere military formality; it was a declaration of recognition—of a new nation, standing on the precipice of its destiny. This act, though small in its immediate consequence, was a harbinger of the many alliances and recognitions that would follow, a signal that the world was beginning to take notice of this young, independent nation.

And what of the Province of Friesland, which granted America's independence its first formal recognition? It was not a nation of great power, but a province that understood the value of standing with the oppressed, of lending support to a cause greater than itself. Friesland, far from the shores of the American colonies, saw the potential in this new experiment, and in its formal recognition of America, it offered not just political support but a profound moral endorsement. It was a recognition that, though small in the context of global powers, was a monumental act for the fledgling nation, offering it the legitimacy it needed to stand on the world stage.

Let us now reflect on the grand lesson in these moments of history. It is not always the might of the great nations that shapes the course of events, but the quiet, unexpected gestures of those who believe in a cause greater than themselves. The Dutch and the Frisians were not compelled by the weight of military might or vast economic power; they were moved by the spirit of independence, a spirit that transcends borders and speaks to the human heart. These small acts of recognition laid the foundation for the global movement that would eventually sweep across the world—one that would inspire other nations to rise and claim their freedom from the bonds of tyranny.

This truth, O children, is as relevant today as it was in the time of our forebears. The struggles for freedom and justice are never fought by the actions of a single individual or the power of one nation alone. They are the result of countless moments of solidarity, countless gestures of recognition and support, that build the strength of the whole. Each small act of courage and recognition—whether it comes from a foreign officer or a distant province—contributes to the rise of a nation, to the birth of a new era. It is a reminder that the journey toward freedom is not only shaped by the grand, but by the humble, by the unexpected alliances and quiet acts of kindness that light the way.

So, O children of the future, let this wisdom guide you: do not underestimate the power of small actions, for it is often in the quiet gestures of solidarity that the seeds of great change are sown. Stand with those who seek freedom, even when the world seems divided or distant. Recognize that in the shared struggle for independence, there is strength. Honor the gestures, both large and small, that contribute to the building of a just and free world. And remember always, as Seth Low teaches us, that the world’s recognition of your cause may begin with a single, humble salute—but it is this very recognition that can spark the fires of a global movement toward justice and freedom.