Oh, that's right. July 4th is the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. Happy Independence Day, Americans!
Wait a minute. You say we got that wrong, too?
It was July 2nd, 1776 that the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution of independence from Great Britain. The next day John Adams wrote to his wife telling her that July 2nd would be celebrated in the new country for years and years, marked with parades and fireworks and watermelon. Well, okay, he didn't mention watermelon.
Turns out he was off by two days as it wasn't until July 4th that the Declaration of Independence was approved by Congress. Happy 4th of July, everybody.
But wait. It turns out that most historians believe the Declaration wasn't signed until August 2nd! Happy August 2nd!
Oh, man, this is getting as complicated as some of my recent Diamondbacks baseball games.
Well here's some things we know for sure about July 4th. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died within hours of each other: on July 4th, 1826. And another of our presidents, James Monroe, died on July 4th, 1831. The only president that we know of that was BORN on July 4th was Calvin Coolidge, in 1872.
So, what are we celebrating today?
Oh, one other thing. Remember George Washington? History says that in 1778, he marked July 4th by issuing a double ration of rum for his troops. Happy July 4th, George!
Well, the Founding Fathers were all devout Christians. I hope history didn't mess that up.
ReplyDeleteActually, Thomas Jefferson wasn't much of a Christian if you read his writings. Most of the founding fathers were Deists. Happy Fourth of July.
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for "Double Ration Of Rum" Day. :)
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Another 4th bites the dust. Hope everyoned enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you should have remained British colonists, then you wouldn't have had all this confusion over dates. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with that. Long live the Queen! Oh, well, I guess she's taking care of that.
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