Celebrate America’s Birthday

Today is America’s birthday – the most patriotic holiday Americans celebrate.  We all love the parades, and barbeques and fireworks to end the celebration.  Each community has a unique way of celebrating the 4^th of July.  But have you ever thought about what this day really means?

234 years ago, a small group of men met in Philadelphia, in a tiny hall that we now call Independence Hall.  The colonists had been quarreling with the British for years, trying to resolve their differences and end the tyranny of the King.  Each time the King had simply ignored them.  Now it had come down to making the final break from the British.

As the Second Continental Congress met to decide how to finally declare their independence, four days in July really stand out.  On the first of July they debated for hours the wording of the resolution of independence.  The delegates had already assigned Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston to draft the Declaration of Independence.  Most of the actual drafting was done by Jefferson.

On the second of July, the Congress adopted the Resolution of Independence.  Many of the delegates thought their work was done.  In fact, they celebrated well into the night, only to find the next morning that their work wasn’t done.  They still had to approve the draft of the Declaration of Independence prepared by Jefferson.  Much to the dismay of many they debated and edited Jefferson’s Declaration for hours, making many changes and in the end cutting more than one-fourth of what Jefferson had written.

Finally, their work was done.  The Declaration of Independence had only to be signed.  On the 4^th of July only John Hancock, as President of the Continental Congress and Charles Thomson as Secretary actually signed the document.  It took several weeks to obtain the signatures of all 56 members of the Congress.

Each man signing the Declaration knew that their very lives were at risk, as well as those of their families.  The fight for freedom had begun.  As you celebrate this holiday, think for a few minutes about the heroism of our founding fathers – because of them we enjoy freedom and live in the greatest country the world has ever known.

Please remember our military servicemen and women, who fight to preserve the freedom gained so many years ago.

July 3, 1776

With the dawning of July 3, 1776, the delegates to the Continental Congress were looking for a short meeting. After all, on the 2^nd of July they had approved the Resolution for Independence. And they had their very brightest people working on the Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and three other members of the Committee of five.

So, after a night of celebrating the events of the 2^nd, they really didnt want or expect a long meeting on the 3^rd. Little did they know that they would spend long hours on the 3^rd editing Jeffersons draft of the Declaration of Independence. In fact by the time they were done, they had cut over of Jeffersons words from the draft.

What do you know about the period of our battle for Independence? Lets try a couple of trivia questions to test your knowledge. Now, no fair looking up the answers. We will post them on our web site tomorrow. Try to answer and post your answer as a comment on our web site.

While you are visiting our web site, leave us a comment about what the 4^th of July means to you. Share your memories with all of us.

1) Did you know that the first submarine attack took place in New York Harbor in 1776? Name the submarine that attacked the HMS Eagle in New York Harbor.

answer: Turtle. On September 6, 1776, the Turtle targeted the HMS Eagle, flagship of the British fleet. The Americans were supposed to sneak a cask of gunpowder on the Eagle, then sneak away before it exploded. This didn’t happen though because the Turtle got entangled with the Eagle’s rudder and the Americans surfaced before the gunpowder could be planted

2) Britain ordered General Henry Clinton to move his troops from Philadelphia to New York by sea. Why didn’t General Clinton obey this order?

answer: He did not have any transports for the horses. Clinton had no way of moving 3,000 horses by sea.

On this date in 1776

On July 3, 1776, British troops landed on Staten Island. Over a period of six weeks, British troop strength was increased so that it number over 32,000 by the end of August. Meanwhile, General Washington was preparing his men as well as he could under the circumstances. Washington was hampered by the British control of the sea, which allowed them to conceivably attack either Long Island or Manhattan. Washington decided to defend both vulnerable areas.

July 2, 1776

Many historians argue that July 2 was actually the day America declared independence.  In fact, John Adams, in a letter to his wife, said “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. “

The reason for John Adam’s belief was that July 2 was the day the Continental Congress approved the Resolution of Independence.  As we know now, events soon overtook the 2^nd of July, and with the signing of the Declaration of Independence by John Hancock on the 4^th of July, the 2^nd became a footnote to history.

Want to try your hand at some trivia?  Here are a couple of questions to test your knowledge of our history.  No cheating, please.  Try to answer them without any help.  Post your answer as a comment on our web site and come back tomorrow and check the answers.

While you are visiting our web site, leave us a comment about what the 4^th of July means to you.  Share your thoughts with us.

1) Which American President was born on the 4^th of July?

Answer:  Calvin Coolidge

2) The American Bald Eagle is our national bird.  What other bird was considered and who favored naming it our national bird?

Answer:  The turkey.  Ben Franklin favored naming the turkey as the national bird.  Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson served on the committee that picked the eagle.

On this date in 1776

On July 2, 1776 the Continental Congress actually voted for independence. John Adams, in his writings, even noted that July 2 would be remembered in the annals of American history and would be marked with fireworks and celebrations. The written Declaration of Independence was dated July 4 but wasn’t actually signed until August 2. Fifty-six delegates eventually signed the document, although all were not present on that day in August.

July 1, 1776

The most patriotic holiday that we celebrate is the 4^th of July.  Have you ever taken the time to think about what the 4^th really means?  234 years ago 56 men put their lives in jeopardy in order to help the land they loved break free of the tyranny of Great Britain.  How much do you know about that period?

The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia at a little hall now called Independence Hall.  They met for the express purpose of declaring American independence from King George and Great Britain.  In fact, they had already started the fight for independence.  George Washington wasn’t at the Congress in Philadelphia, nor is his name on the Declaration of Independence because he was busy fighting the British.

How are you at trivia?  Try your hand at these questions.  We will post the answer tomorrow.  No fair cheating.  Just use the good brain you have.  Post your answer as a comment.

While you are at it, tell us what the 4^th of July means to you as an American and as a Coloradan.  Leave us a comment on our web site.  Share your thoughts with us.

1) She replaced her wounded husband at his cannon during the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.  What was her name?

Answer:  Molly Pitcher. Her real name was Mary Ludwig Hays. There were also other women who saw combat in the American Revolution.

2) What was the name of the doctor that warned Paul Revere that the British were coming?

Answer: Dr. Joseph Warren. He more than likely had someone on the inside of the British troops to inform him. Many historians believe it may have been the British General’s wife.

On this date in 1776:

On July 1, 1776 The Continental Congress, sitting as a committee, met to debate a resolution submitted by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee on June 7. The resolution stated that the United Colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” The committee voted for the motion and, on July 2 in formal session took the final vote for independence.

On July 1, 1776, The British fleet anchored off Sandy Hook in New York Bay.