In this episode – Celebrate July 4th . . .
How do you celebrate the 4th of July holiday? Maybe you hang an American flag on your house, barbecue burgers and hotdogs, have a beer, watch baseball on TV, or perhaps you're looking to get your community involved.
Our neighborhood has had many young families move in during the last five years. And many people walk the quiet streets of the community. So, this is one way to draw everyone together – of the people, for the people, who are out and about on the streets and sidewalks at different times - and to have a little fun.
First, the "Rest of the Story" about Independence Day is from constitutioncenter.org.
Have you ever wondered when the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in July 1776? Some say it was July 2nd, and some say July 4th. Which date has the legitimate claim on Independence Day?
If our second President, John Adams, could be transported to the future, he would say July 2nd. Other Founders would insist on July 4th, the day recognized as a federal holiday in the United States by our national government. And still, other Founders would say, "What Independence Day?" since the holiday wasn't widely celebrated until many Founders had passed away.
Here is evidence to help you decide which Independence Day is actually Independence Day!
Officially, the Continental Congress declared its freedom from Great Britain on July 2nd, 1776, when it voted to approve a resolution submitted by delegate Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, declaring "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."
John Adams thought July 2nd would be a national holiday for generations to come:
Adams wrote to his wife Abigale, "[Independence Day] will be the most memorable Epocha in the History of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding Generations as a great anniversary Festival. 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."
After voting on independence on July 2nd, the Continental Congress needed to draft a document explaining the move to the public. A committee of five (John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson) proposed the document in draft form, and it took two days for Congress to agree on the edits.
Once Congress approved the Declaration of Independence document on July 4th, it ordered it to be sent to a printer named John Dunlap. About 200 copies of the "Dunlap Broadside" version of the document were printed, with John Hancock's name printed at the bottom. Today, 26 copies remain.
That is why the Declaration has the words "IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776" at its top, because that is the day the approved version was signed in Philadelphia.
Now you know the rest of the story!
Anyway, here's a tradition you can start in your neighborhood for those listeners who stuck around.
On Thursday, July 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., our neighbors will host the 5th Annual July 4th Neighborhood Parade! You will see colorful Red, White, and Blue printed flyers near your mailbox with the following.
Decorate bikes, trikes, strollers, or just walk!
Or, stand outside your house and cheer.
Hotdogs and Jumpy afterward.
Come on by and cheer on the kids. Happy Independence Day!
I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. I'll see you in the next episode.
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