DECLARATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE: Independence Day

Hello O-Mamas! 

The Fourth of July in the United States of America commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. On July 3rd, a day earlier than the final approval of the Declaration, John Adams wrote 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.”

Adams’s was off by two days because Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.  I begin thinking of the Fourth of July holiday in June. I’m looking forward to family reunions as are many other Americans, who will also celebrate with barbecues, fire works, parades, political speeches, picnics, baseball games, hotdogs, and watermelon, etc.

Here’s a bit of interesting trivia: Did you know that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the only signers of the Declaration of Independence who later served as Presidents of the United States? And, they both died on the same day ~ July 4, 1826 ~ the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Did you know that the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831? And the thirtieth president, Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872? This July 4th let us remember these few words in the Gettysburg Address:

“…our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. … that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

O-Mamas, we are the people who model for our children and grandchildren that our government really is of the people and for the people. Be involved. We must always elect representatives and leaders who model this also so that our freedom and government, under the constitution, will not “perish from the earth”.

For peace, liberty and justice for all…(and independent thinking, of course!) ~ Granny La Te Da

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