Published: July 01, 2008 06:20 pm         

RANDOM THOUGHTS: July 4 is a red letter day in American history

A Fourth of July editorial in 2003 asked “Would You Sign?” I would venture to say that many who saw that heading would ask, “Sign what?” Even though it was clear the comments were about the Declaration of Independence, I remembered a survey that had been taken in New Hampshire in 1993. In that state, one of the original 13 colonies, only six of every ten adults knew we celebrate the Fourth of July because it commemorates the signing of that document.

This Friday marks the passage of 232 years since we severed our ties with England. The 56 men who signed their names knew well what that decision could cost them. The closing words of the proclamation left no doubt. “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

That story is as spine-tingling today as it was then. In April 1775, a large body of colonists took up arms to fight for their rights as subjects of the British crown. The following month delegates from the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to work out a solution that would bring reconciliation with the mother country.

During a long, hot summer the group met and the war continued. In England there was never a thought of listening to reason. The colonists engaged in this foolishness were labeled “riotous rebels” of America and those who broke ties with England were traitors and could expect the harshest punishment.

Gradually as those 56 argued and tested different ideas the months passed and when the new year of 1776 arrived they were still looking for an answer. By July they accepted the inevitable. The time had come to dissolve the connection with Great Britain. On July 2, 1776 the motion for independence was passed as was acceptance of Thomas Jefferson’s impressive words which became the Declaration of Independence.

General George Washington’s army was in New York City and the general said of the momentous decision, “The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army.” At that very moment the British were landing on Staten Island.

The letter with the full text did not arrive in New York until July 6. On the evening of July 9 the brigades in the city marched to the Commons and the full Declaration of Independence was read aloud. General Washington then said, “Remember officers and soldiers that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of liberty.” The Glorious Cause of America had been established.

On July 4, 1776 John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, and Charles Thompson, committee secretary, signed the document on behalf of the Congress. It was two weeks later that the committee decided they should all sign it.

There was no celebration in Philadelphia that first year except someone rang the Liberty Bell in the State House. The first Fourth of July celebration was in Philadelphia in 1777 when General Washington came to sign. Even stranger the day was not a legal public holiday until 1941 when Congress declared it a paid federal holiday.

The war continued and was finally declared over when the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783.

After signing the document John Adams wrote his wife Abigail on his thoughts. “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.” He mentioned there would be games and bells and bonfires “from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward.

Patriot Adams prediction was right and it is acceptable to engage in all the fun things that take place on the holiday after we ponder the sacrifices made before July 4 became a red letter day in American history.