Now funded, thanks in large part to Salomon, Washington went on to win the final battle of the Revolutionary War.
History books don’t teach our children about Haym Salomon. But without his dedication to liberty and the American Revolution, tea might still be our national drink.
You can find a monument featuring Salomon with George Washington and Robert Morris in downtown Chicago along the river and Wacker Drive. A statue that bears his name can also be found in Los Angeles at Pan Pacific Park. But with these exceptions and the creation of a commemorative stamp in 1975, history and future generations won’t likely know about the priceless contribution of the first prominent Jewish American.
As we celebrate Independence Day and remember the American Revolution, names such as Washington, Franklin and Adams will come to mind. But this year, let’s add another name to our thoughts – a Founding Father whose dedication to the birth of our nation is just as great as the aforementioned patriots, and without his efforts, July 4 would be just another day we’d spend with our families playing cricket.