Happy Hump Day! Within less than a week, America’s most significant holiday will occur – Independence Day. Celebrated on July 4th, this day commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the assembled U.S. Constitutional Congress, in Philadelphia, declaring separation and independence from English (King of England) rule.
The 4th of July became the official celebration day as a U.S. (federal) holiday in 1941. On July 2nd, the assembled Continental Congress approved the resolution of independence (known as the Declaration) principally written by Thomas Jefferson. Two day later, on the 4th, representatives from the 13 colonies ratified the Declaration.
Writing the Declaration was charged to a committee consisting of Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston. The vote of adoption was on July 2nd, but it wasn’t unanimous. The delegation to Congress from New York abstained (later voting in favor). Because of the action taken on July 2nd, John Adams always believed that the celebration of independence should occur on the 2nd, not the 4th. Adams wrote to his wife on the 2nd, post the vote of adoption, that July 2 “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.”
Signing of the Declaration commenced on August 2nd, 1776, after the document was embossed onto parchment paper. John Hancock, the president of the Congress, was the first signer. He signed large and bold at the middle, bottom of the Declaration. The next signers began signing at the right beginning with delegates from the northernmost states following to the delegates from the southernmost states (e.g., Georgia). Not all delegates were present in August but 56 did initially sign. Interesting, Robert Livingston, one of the members of the committee of initial composers of the declaration, never signed the final document.
So, Happy Birthday (soon to be) to the United States of America. The U.S. will be 247 years young this 4th. I hope you have a great pre-holiday Hump Day and pause on the 4th, to remember the amazing acts and feats of bravery and intellect that went into the Declaration and the acts of adoption. Many have since worked lifetimes and in some cases, given their life, to continue to uphold the ideals within the Declaration.
This link is to a clip of the late, great comedian Robin Williams, doing a bit on the U.S. Flag. It is hilarious and touching, especially at the end. The Old Glory represents the initial thirteen colonies (the stripes) involved in the founding of the United States. Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_L1vLv84vs