Tidbits
July 4, 1776 – Declaration of Independence Adopted
The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of
Independence. This was one of the bravest acts in the history of the world. The fledgling colonies knew that if they declared independence, it was going to be a fight with Great Britain – the likes of which they had never seen. It was going to be a battle between a kitten and the British Lion.
The 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew they were in for trouble, and
trouble did come their way. If they had any property, they lost it, or they had to struggle to keep even a small part of it. July 4 was 442 days after the first shots of the American Revolution were fired.
The British Army and Navy were the best in the world, at that time. It was more than taking on the British Army and Navy. They were facing tremendous economic pressure, which could
tear the colonies apart. Still, the Colonists managed to do it.
I keep a copy of the Declaration of Independence on my desk at all times. Occasionally, I pick up the copy and read it, but I also take time to read the names of the signers of it. When we think of the Declaration of Independence, we think of the leaders like Thomas Jefferson, who wrote it, Benjamin Franklin, John
Hancock, Samuel Adams, and other well-known patriots. However, there were others that signed who were not as well known, but equally brave. All the signers of the Declaration of Independence can be thought of as part of the foundation of United States of America.
I wish everyone a happy Fourth of July but remember there wouldn’t be a Fourth of July had it not been
for these brave people who signed the Declaration of Independence, the fact that they owned firearms, and all the thousands of unnamed patriots who fought in the Revolution instead of giving up to the British Lion!
July 4, 1826 – The Second & Third United States Presidents Die
Former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the last two surviving revolutionaries who had signed the Declaration of Independence, both die on the same day, exactly 50 years after it was signed.
Adams and Jefferson grew apart after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and did not speak to each other for 11 years, from 1801 until 1812. In
1812, Adams broke the silence by writing Jefferson a letter. Jefferson replied, two weeks later. The two men corresponded over the next 14 years. Their letters to each other are a treasure trove of their thoughts about politics, religion, and philosophy.
July 5, 1946 – Bikini Bathing Suit Introduced in France
Men around the world have been happy ever since.
July 7, 1930 – Construction Begins on the Hoover Dam
This massive construction project started at the beginning of the Great Depression, employing thousands of men. These men would harness the Colorado River and build
one of the largest dams in history.
July 8, 1776 – Liberty Bell Tolls Announcing First Reading of the Declaration of Independence
The bell was known as the Liberty Bell at the time. It rang out from the Bell tower of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Pennsylvania. The bell developed
a crack while being tested. Even though it was recast twice, the crack persisted. The Liberty Bell was rung each year to commemorate George Washington’s birthday and the Fourth of July. Finally, in 1845, the crack became so large that it was determined the bell could no longer be rung. Instead, it is now lightly tapped on occasion to commemorate important events.
Remember, history
matters!
