The 4th of July is a date that’s practically synonymous around the world for being the “birth date” so to speak of the United States of America. A little over 240 years ago The Declaration of Independence was made, and it’s always intriguing to learn how these things happen as not all countries needed to declare independence, and some – like ours – only just got there.
Let’s turn to the internet of things for a little history lesson.
July 4th, 1776
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule. 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 wording of the Declaration, finally approving it two days later 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.
Adams’s prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.
Historians have long disputed whether members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.
Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe, another Founding Father who was elected as President, also died on July 4, 1831. He was the third President in a row who died on the anniversary of independence. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872; so far he is the only U.S. President to have been born on Independence Day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)
Fun Facts, no? History’s details often times get lost as the years go by, Today, however, is a day for celebration and all of us at The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Our founders The Fleming Family, Our Managers and all our staff would like to wish all our family, friends, guests, and fans both living in the USA and abroad a Happy, fun-filled 4th of July!
Cheers,
The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Get 30% off your Vacation booking with us between now and July 7th, 2917 when you use booking code JULY4