What is the most important date in American history?

July 4th, 1776?

The date of American independence?

Or April 12th, 1861?

The first day of the Civil War that ended slavery in America.

Or maybe December 7th, 1941?

The day the Japanese Empire bombed Pearl Harbor, bringing America into World War II.

Or how about this one?

July 28th, 1588.

Yes, 1588.

That's 30 years before Plymouth Rocked, and almost 20 years before Jamestown, John Smith, and

Pocahontas.

So why is it such an important date in American history?

First a little background.

In 1588, the most powerful man in the world was the King of Spain, Philip II.

Flush with gold and silver from the New World, he had no rival save one.

Queen Elizabeth of England.

England was a Protestant nation, and Spain was Catholic as was most of Europe.

In addition to considering her a heretic, Philip hated her for two additional reasons.

First, she was financing a rebellion by the Dutch Protestants against Spain in the Spanish

Netherlands, which Philip controlled.

And second, because she had executed her rebellious cousin, Mary Queen of Scoth.

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