Constitution.com:
“Why then sir, why do we longer delay? Why still deliberate? Let this happy day give birth to an American Republic. Let her arise not to devastate and to conquer but to reestablish the reign of peace and law.
The eyes of Europe are fixed upon us. She demands of us a living example of freedom that may exhibit a contrast in the felicity of the citizen to the ever-increasing tyranny which desolates her polluted shores. She invites us to prepare an asylum where the unhappy may find solace, and the persecuted repose. If we are not this day wanting in our duty, the names of the American legislators of 1776 will be placed by posterity at the side of all of those whose memory has been and ever will be dear to virtuous men and good citizens.” — Richard Henry Lee-July 2, 1776
Today, July 2nd, America’s Independence Day.
The Declaration of Independence was approved/signed on July 4th, but it was two days earlier, July 2nd that the Continental Congress passed the Lee Resolution, declaring that we were independent from Britain. This simple resolution was a stirring call to throw off the bonds of tyranny: MORE
Lee. What a man. What an American family.
There was some language in the Declaration that the South did not want and the Continental Congress wanted a unanimous vote. They re-worded it and it was signed by all on July 4th. I’m not clear on the details, but that’s what I remember from high school history.
I open carry on the 2nd to celebrate the 2nd amendment
I thought the final document was signed on the 3rd, but publicly announced and read on the 4th.
Indeed. Let us endeavor to elevate our efforts and prose to re-establish peace and law and quell visions of spraysharting chicken vindaloo in the faces of mewling, mangy Progs of the Fourth Estate. 🙂
@Claudia, the main issue was who counted as a Citizen for purposes of a Congress where larger populations would receive more Congressmen.
The slave population was fairly small. But New England states, which had fewer slaves, did not want slaves counted at all.
States with more slaves (South Carolina and its rice paddies chiefly) wanted them countedas full persons.
Compromise was 3/5.
What difference does it make? We all know how important everyone of those days are. It’s tradition and I’m sticking with the 4th of July, and at the same time honoring everything that happened 240+ years ago.
The only way to fairly settle this is to demand July 2-4 as days off.
And another thing, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing. It was important to each of them to have lived to that day. They know more than we do of the significance of the day.
Maybe if we started calling it “Quatro de Julio” the young people would think it was more of a reason to celebrate our independence.
Look how much people celebrate that Mexican non holiday with the funny Spanish name. Would they sell as much beer if it were merely May 5? Or, as Barry said one year when celebrating a day earlier, “Quattro de Cinco” (4th of 5) – which couldn’t be questioned because all knowing Barry with the funny African name said it.
Many have in Ohio celebrating tonight. Just glad they are celebrating.
A couple of years ago a friend gave me 1776, boxed, illustrated
and wonderful. If you can find it, I highly recommend it. Make sure we
keep the real history of our founding.
Happy WWWWWIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNIIIINNNNNGGGGGGGGGG Independence Day to my IOTW Family.