Happy Independence Day!

Oh man it's going to be such a great day; all the fireworks and the cheery crowds will remind me why it's so great to live in America. July 2nd is truly a historic day. Hmm....wait; something seems odd here. I think I'm forgetting something. OH DAMN! Independence Day is July 4th! Or is it? Wait a minute, when is Independence Day?

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``Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.'' *
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Those are the legendary words that made the American colonies the United States of America. It was the resolution introduced by Richard Henry Lee and John Adams that declared America independent. On the 2nd of July in 1776, all 12 colonies adopted that very precise resolution. John Adams was ecstatic and wrote to his wife Abigail the following day:

"The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. . . . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." *

On July 4th, a revised version of the Declaration of Independence was passed by the delegates at Philadelphia. Although an important event, they all considered July 2nd the birthday of the nation.

Amazingly, amdist all the chaos of the American Revolution, the date was forgotten once the anniversary came. Realizing it was too late, the Founders started to celebrate the day on July 4th instead; eventually, it caught on. Today, while millions of Americans will celebrate on July 4th, I am popping the champagne open (just kidding, I don't drink)!

* http://www.thedeclarationofindependence.org/