John Dunkle
06-30-2011, 06:57 PM
If you are in the USA and reading this, Jen and I want to wish you a wonderful, safe and Happy Fourth of July this weekend.
A little bit of history about the 4th of July ...
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the 13 Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the 2nd Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a committee of five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4.
A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
Adam's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the Declaration of Independence.
My Best to all PGCA Members,
John
A little bit of history about the 4th of July ...
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the 13 Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the 2nd Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a committee of five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4.
A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
Adam's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the Declaration of Independence.
My Best to all PGCA Members,
John