American Independence
The fourth of July brings to mind images of white stars and stripes of red, white and blue.
The American Revolutionary war broke out in April 1775 - at the time not all of the American Colonists were in favor of breaking free from Great Britain, most wanted peace. Towards the middle of 1776 that opinion changed and the then 13 American Colonies decided to start the birth of a new nation, though some civilians remained loyal to the King during the war.
JULY 2, 1776
On June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee (a Philadelphia delegate) introduced the motion calling for the colonies independence. The vote was postponed but Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin and Robert R. Livingston were appointed to draft the formal statement justifying the break from Great Britain.
On July 2, 1776 Congress voted in favor of the declaration of Independence. John Adams wrote to his wife that this would be the day "celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary Festival" he also stated in that letter that celebrations should include:
"Pomp and Parade, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other."
On July 4th Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence (largely written by Thomas Jefferson) and though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd as we all know the fourth of July has become the date it is celebrated. This became a source of contention for Adams who believed July 2nd should be the day celebrated and it is said he would turn down invitations to appear at July 4th celebrations. In a bit of irony both Adams and Jefferson died on July 4th, 1826.
JULY 4th, 1777 (aka the first 4th of July)
Known also as Independence Day we here in the USA celebrate our independence from Great Britain and in doing so we also celebrate the courage of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence; had we lost the war these men would have been charged with high treason - a crime which carried with it the penalty of death.
Independence Day celebrations were held each year beginning in 1777 even though the war waged on. October 1781 marks the end of the fighting but it wasn't officially over until The Treaty of Paris was signed on Sept. 3, 1783.
CELEBRATIONS
Before the Revolutionary war American colonists celebrated the King's birthday (June 4th) it was a celebration that included ringing of bells, bonfires, processions and speech-making. During the Summer of 1776 American Independence was celebrated by holding mock funerals for King George III, this was done to signify the end of the monarchy's rule over America.
It is believed that the first Fourth of July (1777) was celebrated at City Tavern in Philadelphia. Hot Dogs and Burgers were probably not on the menu that day, instead it was: Roast Turkey, Fricasseed rabbit, pigeon, craw fish and Lobster.
In 1781 months before the big American victory in Yorktown, VA, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.
After the War of 1812 American patriotism fueled the celebration of Independence but July 4th didn't become a federal holiday until 1870 and it became a paid holiday for all federal employee's in 1941.
Since the late 19th century it has become a day filled with leisure activities, Barbecues, and get-togethers. While the political importance has diminished patriotism is still apparent as American flags continue to be hung from flag poles and draped from porches and the skies at sundown are filled with mesmerizing firework displays.
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| HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG |
The American Revolutionary war broke out in April 1775 - at the time not all of the American Colonists were in favor of breaking free from Great Britain, most wanted peace. Towards the middle of 1776 that opinion changed and the then 13 American Colonies decided to start the birth of a new nation, though some civilians remained loyal to the King during the war.
JULY 2, 1776
On June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee (a Philadelphia delegate) introduced the motion calling for the colonies independence. The vote was postponed but Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin and Robert R. Livingston were appointed to draft the formal statement justifying the break from Great Britain.
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| Thomas Jefferson's notes that would become the Declaration of Independence |
On July 2, 1776 Congress voted in favor of the declaration of Independence. John Adams wrote to his wife that this would be the day "celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary Festival" he also stated in that letter that celebrations should include:
"Pomp and Parade, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other."
 |
| "Declaration of Independence" by John Trumbull |
On July 4th Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence (largely written by Thomas Jefferson) and though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd as we all know the fourth of July has become the date it is celebrated. This became a source of contention for Adams who believed July 2nd should be the day celebrated and it is said he would turn down invitations to appear at July 4th celebrations. In a bit of irony both Adams and Jefferson died on July 4th, 1826.
JULY 4th, 1777 (aka the first 4th of July)
Known also as Independence Day we here in the USA celebrate our independence from Great Britain and in doing so we also celebrate the courage of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence; had we lost the war these men would have been charged with high treason - a crime which carried with it the penalty of death.
Independence Day celebrations were held each year beginning in 1777 even though the war waged on. October 1781 marks the end of the fighting but it wasn't officially over until The Treaty of Paris was signed on Sept. 3, 1783.
CELEBRATIONS
Before the Revolutionary war American colonists celebrated the King's birthday (June 4th) it was a celebration that included ringing of bells, bonfires, processions and speech-making. During the Summer of 1776 American Independence was celebrated by holding mock funerals for King George III, this was done to signify the end of the monarchy's rule over America.
It is believed that the first Fourth of July (1777) was celebrated at City Tavern in Philadelphia. Hot Dogs and Burgers were probably not on the menu that day, instead it was: Roast Turkey, Fricasseed rabbit, pigeon, craw fish and Lobster.
In 1781 months before the big American victory in Yorktown, VA, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.
After the War of 1812 American patriotism fueled the celebration of Independence but July 4th didn't become a federal holiday until 1870 and it became a paid holiday for all federal employee's in 1941.
Since the late 19th century it has become a day filled with leisure activities, Barbecues, and get-togethers. While the political importance has diminished patriotism is still apparent as American flags continue to be hung from flag poles and draped from porches and the skies at sundown are filled with mesmerizing firework displays.
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