It’s July 3rd! Tomorrow is July 4th! Independence Day in
America. But is July 4th really the day the United States of America
became free from British rule? That’s what I’m going to talk about today. ;)
Let me take you to before the Battles of Lexington and
Concord. You know about how tempers flared between the colonists and the
English. Did you know that many attempts were made by the colonies to reconcile
with the mother land? Parliament, and ultimately the king, would not heed the
complaints and concerns if the colonists. Even after the “Shot Heard ‘Round the
World” in April of 1775, the Second Continental Congress attempted once more to
make peace with the king.
Over a year later, after reconciliation failed, the colonies
decided it was time to separate from England and become their own nation. This
is when the Declaration of Independence was drafted, Thomas Jefferson being the
greatest contributor. There are a great many stories surrounding this document,
but those are for another time. On July 2nd the Second Continental
Congress unanimously (save for one abstention) voted in favor of the document. John
Adams thought it was time to celebrate. But congress was not happy with
everything in the document. For the next two days congress edited the document.
Cutting and adding and re-wording. Then, on July 4th the Declaration
of independence was officially adopted. The signatures were not made on the
document until it was re-written on fresh parchment in a clear hand. A majority
of the 56 signatures were written as late as August of the same year.
July 4th is known as Independence Day because the
colonies officially declared they wanted to, and were going to, separate from
England. However, the war continued. King George III wouldn’t consent so
easily. It wasn’t until September 28, 1781 that George Washington won the siege
of Yorktown with the British army surrendering. But even then, the war
continued in less major battles fought throughout the colonies, mainly in the frontier
of the time. The Treaty of Paris, which was a document declaring the war over,
and the U.S.A a sovereign country was drafted in November of 1782, signed September
3, 1783, and went in effect May 12, 1784. Right there are two other dates you could
consider our Independence Day.
But I guess it’s just easier to stick with July 4th.
After all, the day has been celebrated since 1777! The Declaration of Independence
gave the Continental Army a boost in morale, letting them know just what they
were fighting for. If you have never read the full document for yourself, you
should! It has been published over and over again on the internet for you to read.
When you do read it, you get a better understanding about the original heart of
the American people. The war was about more than just taxes!
Have a fantastic Declaration of Independence Day!
Elizabeth :)
Jesus Loves you! <3
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