WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -That 1630 sermon by John Winthrop is now famous mainly for its proclamation that “we shall be as a city upon a hill.” Beginning in the 1970s, Ronald Reagan placed that line, from that sermon, at the center of his political career.

Detailed explanation-2: -John Winthrop (1588–1649) was an early Puritan leader whose vision for a godly commonwealth created the basis for an established religion that remained in place in Massachusetts until well after adoption of the First Amendment. It was, however, eventually superseded by ideas of separation of church and state.

Detailed explanation-3: -Winthrop and his fleet arrived in June 1630 CE and were greeted by Endicott at Salem. Winthrop dismissed Salem as lacking for his purposes and established a new settlement at a spot which Captain John Smith (l. 1580-1631 CE) of Jamestown fame had noted on his maps of 1614 CE as the best; this became the city of Boston.

Detailed explanation-4: -Already chosen governor, Winthrop intended his words to focus, challenge, and inspire the little community. For following generations, Winthrop’s surviving words offer insight into the dreams and goals of the colony he led four times between that year and his death in 1649.