Before there was a United States, before the Constitution, even before the Declaration of Independence… The Pilgrims created what is widely considered America’s first governing document.
In 1620, aboard the Mayflower, the settlers drafted the Mayflower Compact. In the opening lines, they explained WHY they were establishing a new civil government.
The document states that their colony was founded:
“For the Glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith…”
The settlers then agreed to form a civil body politic and establish laws for the good of the colony which means thag the very first self-governing agreement in American history *explicitly stated* that the colony existed for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.
Another piece of American history many people have never been told!
