To all Americans: Happy Independence Day! [Archive]

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Platapus

07-02-08, 05:21 AM

Happy Independence Day :up:

Today, in 1776, the Continental Congress voted and approved the Lee Resolution.

"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.
That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation."

It was passed 12-0 with one abstaining. New York finally voted in favour on 9 July 1776.

The evening of 2 July 1776, the Pennsylvania Evening Post published the statement: "This day the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies Free and Independent States."

John Adams, in writing to his wife Abigail on 3 July 1776.

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. 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."

What many people don't realize is that the intended audience of the Declaration of Independence was the American people. Independence was not a universally supported idea, in fact many of the working classes feared that their situation would worsen under independence (Howard Zim, People's history of the United States).

The Declaration of Independence was not what declared our independence (even back then congress had problems entitling stuff). It was the Lee Resolution. The Declaration of Independence was a document designed to rally support from the citizens on the decision Congress made on 2 July 1776.

So happy Independence Day! Let's cock a good natured snook to our British friends and allies. :rock:

HunterICX

07-02-08, 06:07 AM

Happy Independence Day :up:
have a good one

HunterICX

Oberon

07-02-08, 06:33 AM

Happy Independence Day.

Now give it back :lol:

Jimbuna

07-02-08, 07:08 AM

Happy Independence Day.

Now give it back :lol:

LOL :lol:

Have a good one people :up:

Sailor Steve

07-02-08, 11:51 AM

Well said, Platapus. It's one of my favorite jokes, and I made the same address last year:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=117740

STEED

07-02-08, 12:03 PM

PAH..........Just an excuse to get drunk. :stare: :lol: :rotfl: :up:

UnderseaLcpl

07-02-08, 03:59 PM

Better celebrate now.. before ze Germans get us....

Platapus

07-02-08, 04:04 PM

mrbeast

07-02-08, 04:51 PM

Happy real Independance day!:up:

Letum

07-02-08, 04:54 PM

We will get you back when I become king. It's just a matter of time.....

NEON DEON

07-02-08, 05:31 PM

I went in and told my boss. He said get back to work you will just have to celebrate on the 4th with everyone else:D

Sailor Steve

07-02-08, 06:37 PM

Well said, Platapus. It's one of my favorite jokes, and I made the same address last year:

It is one of my soapboxes. Glad to meet another fanatic :)

Together we will show them... we will show them all!
John Adams was Right!!!:rock:

I went in and told my boss. He said get back to work you will just have to celebrate on the 4th with everyone else:D
:rotfl:

SUBMAN1

07-02-08, 06:47 PM

Woo hoo!!! I will say it now because i won't be around here or near a computer come tomorrow!

For all you Americans who think they know their country, here is your duty for the day - Take this test to see if you could become a citizen if you were a foreigner:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25461301/

Could you pass the latest citizenship test?

-S

Sailor Steve

07-02-08, 06:50 PM

100%:sunny:

Surprised myself.

Letum

07-02-08, 07:33 PM

Could you pass the latest citizenship test?

Scraped in at 80% with a lot of guess work.

I can't see how anyone could fail with 10 min remembering the questions!

Does this mean tha6t stupid people, or those with a learning disability can not become citizens btw?

Platapus

07-02-08, 07:41 PM

100% but I admit I had to think about number 7 (number of amendments)

Good test, but I wonder what your average high school student would score? 20%?

August

07-02-08, 08:55 PM

100% but I admit I had to think about number 7 (number of amendments)

Good test, but I wonder what your average high school student would score? 20%?

If we started kicking the low scorers out of the country i'd bet the rest would bone up PDQ....

Ducimus

07-02-08, 09:17 PM

PAH..........Just an excuse to get drunk. :stare: :lol: :rotfl: :up:

No no no no... although that DOES happen. It's an excuse to indulge the little pyro in all of us and light fuses on things go Boom, or make pretty sparkles!

(then they introduced this whole "safe and sane" thing and toned down all the fun :rotfl: )

Yes im being sarchastic. But i do love fireworks! Best 4th i ever had, was when i worked with a professional fireworks company setting up for one of their big shows. It was acutally alot of work with very long hours, but I learned alot about class B explosives (ironically their mostly made in china :roll: ), had a ton of fun, and got paid doing it!

Bort

07-02-08, 10:55 PM

100% but I admit I had to think about number 7 (number of amendments)

Good test, but I wonder what your average high school student would score? 20%?

Hey, my brother, who's going to be a junior in high school, took it to see and he got a 95%. Then again, he says he wouldn't doubt that about 20% would be the average score.

Sailor Steve

07-02-08, 11:27 PM

@ Platapus: I've been posting about the John Adams miniseries. One of the bright points was their depiction of the Declaration debates. When the vote was taken they had a little on-screen 'factoid' mentioning that the actual vote was taken on the Second. I applauded, alone in front of my computer.

And I liked your comment on the Lee resolution. Dates of votes and dates on documents aside, they had already decided on independence before the 'Committee of Five' was ever formed to draft the paper.

"As to the history of the Revolution, my ideas may be peculiar, perhaps singular. What do we mean by the Revolution? The war? That was no part of the Revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The Revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was effected from 1760-1775, in the course of fifteen years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington."
-John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, August 24, 1815

"What do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations... This radical change in the priciples, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution."
-John Adams, letter to H. Niles, February 13, 1818

Takeda Shingen

07-03-08, 06:55 AM

Happy 4th. Being in close proximity, I spend every Independence Day where it all happened: Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Then it's food with evening fireworks at the Art Museum. Just good old fashioned Americana.

Skybird

07-03-08, 07:22 AM

Happy independence day to you all - especially regarding the independence from those who have taken over your nation but do playacting only when claiming they base on the virtues the US once was founded upon. For attempting to win that noble historic intention back and regain your indepedence again, my honest best wishes.

Takeda Shingen

07-03-08, 07:43 AM

Let's keep the politics out of this one, okay?

Skybird

07-03-08, 07:50 AM

Let's keep the politics out of this one, okay?
:) Sure. I meant it seriously honest anyway, Tak! ;) With national adjustments, I wish the same for ourselves over here, you know.

STEED

07-03-08, 08:07 AM

Better get in some top of the line ear plugs to protect me from the loud belching across the pond. :yep: :smug: :p

Have a blast. ;)

NO NO NO NOT THE RED BUTTON. :eek: :rotfl:

Jimbuna

07-03-08, 09:33 AM

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/2505/usinddaykl1.gif (http://imageshack.us)

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/3880/americanindependencedayyg3.gif (http://imageshack.us)

Letum

07-04-08, 07:22 AM

Let us never forget why we remember this day and remember all those who died in that massive alien attack. Rest in peace guys. :(

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o279/rzxrzxrzx/INDEPENDENCEDAY.jpg

rifleman13

07-04-08, 07:31 AM

Happy Independence Day to all of the Americans out here!:arrgh!:

@Letum
Never Again!
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

mrbeast

07-04-08, 07:44 AM

Letum, that was no alien attack! :nope:

It was a US government conspiracy to start an inter galactic war! You can clearly see the puffs of smoke further down the White House?

:lol:

Seriously though guys

:sunny: Happy 4th of July:sunny:

Letum

07-04-08, 08:23 AM

You can clearly see the puffs of smoke further down the White House?

Yup, and the melting point of white marble is above 7500C

STEED

07-04-08, 08:35 AM

@Letum

I just recovered from that awful film now you splash it up on this thread with no due care and attention to others. :nope:

Back to the rehab clinic I go. :damn:

What that I here? America belching on there beers, time for my earplugs. :lol:

:sunny: JULY 4TH:sunny:

Kapitan_Phillips

07-04-08, 09:21 AM

Happy 4th of July, Americans :D Drink one for me, okay?

Make that two.

Three. Not quite over you tossing us out. :rotfl:

Letum

07-04-08, 09:35 AM

@Letum

I just recovered from that awful film now you splash it up on this thread with no due care and attention to others. :nope:

I feel your pain.
I flicked over to if for a few seconds last night.

It's not what you would call art on film to say the least.

Dowly

07-04-08, 09:51 AM

Happy Holidays. :up:

UnderseaLcpl

07-04-08, 09:59 AM

Happy "lost part of your empire" day my British friends!

Btw, do you think you could burn our capitol down again? I think it may need it.

Letum

07-04-08, 10:16 AM

Happy "lost part of your empire" day my British friends!

Btw, do you think you could burn our capitol down again? I think it may need it.

You meant to say "your colony's capital". ;)

Sailor Steve

07-04-08, 01:52 PM

Happy "lost part of your empire" day my British friends!

Btw, do you think you could burn our capitol down again? I think it may need it.
:rotfl:

That never really happened. It's part of a conspiracy too!

STEED

07-04-08, 02:19 PM

Apart from Steve the rest of America must be drunk as a skunk, wow it quite here in the GT Forum today. :rotfl:

Platapus

07-04-08, 02:24 PM

Nope, not drunk. Just waiting to go over to some friend's house to celebrate the 4th the best way possible.......watching the bratty neighbourhood kids hurt themselves with fireworks.

Does not get any better :)

Jimbuna

07-04-08, 02:35 PM

Happy 4th of July, Americans :D Drink one for me, okay?

Make that two.

Three. Not quite over you tossing us out. :rotfl:

http://www.crimeshots.com/forums/images/smilies/cttequila_e0.gif

Hitman

07-04-08, 02:42 PM

Down the brits and long live the rebels! At least for today :lol:

Happy independence day :yep:

Sailor Steve

07-04-08, 02:49 PM

Apart from Steve the rest of America must be drunk as a skunk, wow it quite here in the GT Forum today. :rotfl:
What? You think I can't get drunk on Dr. Pepper? Just watch me!

Me, I'm off to watch another episode of John Adams!

STEED

07-04-08, 03:06 PM

PeriscopeDepth

07-04-08, 03:26 PM

To hot dogs, cheap beer, fireworks, and independence!

Actually just started McCullough's John Adams, my significant other got for me a few weeks ago but I had been engrossed in another book until now.

PD

mrbeast

07-04-08, 05:28 PM

Happy "lost part of your empire" day my British friends!

Btw, do you think you could burn our capitol down again? I think it may need it.

Its ok we got India instead; I love curry!:up:

:D

JHuschke

07-04-08, 11:09 PM

STEED

07-05-08, 05:58 AM

HAPPY HANG OVER DAY AMERICA
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Stealth Hunter

07-05-08, 06:23 AM

HAPPY HANG OVER DAY AMERICA
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Don't suppose you'd happen to have a soft and squishy ice pack on hand......?

Jimbuna

07-05-08, 09:05 AM

I can get disconted prices on these :p

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3750/38896463dh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/8665/63350601kx8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sailor Steve

07-05-08, 10:13 AM

In regards to Platapus's original post, and his and my predilection for talking up the 2nd of July: today (the 5th) could also be considered the true independence day. Why? Because the whole point was to DECLARE independence to the rest of the world, and:

Jul 05, 1776, The Declaration of Independence was first printed by John Dunlap in Philadelphia.

Platapus

07-05-08, 10:46 AM

An interesting question.

Back in the days where simple communication took weeks, the question of when was xxx declared becomes complicated.

Is something declared when the person declaring declares it, or when the intended audience receives it?

The War of 1812 was fought for 50 days after the peace treaty was signed due to the delay in getting the word out to the intended audiences.

Concerning when we declared independence I am sure will be debated by etymologists for years to come. Just like the question: When was President Lincoln assassinated?

14 April or 15 April?

Always good for an etymological argument :)

Sailor Steve

07-05-08, 11:05 AM

I'm pretty sure back then they understood it to mean when everyone had it in hand and recognized it. Your reference to the War of 1812 is a good example: The Battle of New Orleans came after the treaty was signed, and the result stood, as I'm sure would have been agreed to even if the British had won. This also held true for the capture of one of the 'Big Three' frigates. USS President. The British kept her and took her into the Royal Navy.

As for the Lincoln question, I was going to say when Booth pulled the trigger, but the truth is in this case I'm still trying to convince myself it's truly relevant.

Platapus

07-05-08, 02:14 PM

As for the Lincoln question, I was going to say when Booth pulled the trigger, but the truth is in this case I'm still trying to convince myself it's truly relevant.

The question is when it comes to assassination does it occur when the person is attacked or when they die from the attack. Lincoln was shot on 14 Apr and died on 15 Apr.

It becomes dicy when you look at President Garfield. He was shot on 2 July but died on 19 Sep 80 days later. When was Garfield assassinated? I suppose one backdates the assassination once they die.

Silly questions I am sure, and most likely irrelevant, but ones that interest me. :)

nikimcbee

07-08-08, 01:52 PM

PAH..........Just an excuse to get drunk. :stare: :lol: :rotfl: :up:

We get to party, Brits and Canadians, back to work.:up:

nikimcbee

07-08-08, 01:53 PM

Happy 4th of July to you all! Glad we kicked Britains butt and we'll do it again if we have to!!! :rock: LONG LIVE THE REBELS!!! I myself..live in Alabama..so I am a country boy!

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk252/Drew_D93/confederate_flag.jpg

Hope you all enjoy your 4th of July!!

You must not be from Vicksburg.:shifty: They love the 4th:cool:

Jimbuna

07-08-08, 02:05 PM

nikimcbee

07-08-08, 02:35 PM

@jimbuna
Nice knickers
http://www.newenglandtravelplanner.com/assets/ma_images/lexington/redcoats1.jpg

SUBMAN1

07-08-08, 02:41 PM

I'm fully recovered from my hang over! So all is well now! :D :p

Did my rebel act of launching a few fireworks on the beach at about midnight. That was a fun night! :up:

-S

nikimcbee

07-08-08, 02:43 PM

Last year was exciting, the neighbo(u)rs lit their roof on fire.:o

I usually fire off my black powder pistol. Very loud.:o

Jimbuna

07-08-08, 04:16 PM

@jimbuna
Nice knickers
http://www.newenglandtravelplanner.com/assets/ma_images/lexington/redcoats1.jpg

Yep....and they were probably icons of fashion in their time :lol:

Personally though, I prefer the wigs :p

Sailor Steve

07-08-08, 04:31 PM

@jimbuna
Nice knickers
http://www.newenglandtravelplanner.com/assets/ma_images/lexington/redcoats1.jpg
You would know, Knickermcbee.

August

07-08-08, 07:21 PM

@jimbuna
Nice knickers
http://www.newenglandtravelplanner.com/assets/ma_images/lexington/redcoats1.jpg You would know, Knickermcbee.

Oh that was SO bad! :roll::D

Hey that looks like Boston! I thought we sent those lobsterbacks packing back in 1776!

Letum

07-08-08, 07:31 PM

So, what did everyone do on abandonment-of-the-mother-country; disloyalty day? :D

nikimcbee

07-08-08, 08:47 PM

So, what did everyone do on abandonment-of-the-mother-country; disloyalty day? :D

This is what I did:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R272qM0_zE8

Sailor Steve

07-08-08, 09:46 PM

You would know, Knickermcbee.

Oh that was SO bad! :roll::D
I've never denied that I'm a real wit...half the time.

nikimcbee

07-08-08, 09:49 PM

You would know, Knickermcbee.

Oh that was SO bad! :roll::D
I've never denied that I'm a real wit...half the time.

Well, it could be worse, I could be PantalonesMcbee:rotfl:

Letum

07-08-08, 09:50 PM

So, what did everyone do on abandonment-of-the-mother-country; disloyalty day? :D
This is what I did:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R272qM0_zE8

:D
I made this a while ago:
http://www.b3tards.com/u/57a418c694bc7c6296b3/cannonman2.gif

Sailor Steve

07-08-08, 09:51 PM

Letum, that's great!

Well, it could be worse, I could be PantalonesMcbee:rotfl:

'Shorts' Mcbee?

'Codpiece' Mcbee?

I go no further - getting banned isn't on my to-do list for the day.

nikimcbee

07-08-08, 09:54 PM

nikimcbee

07-08-08, 09:56 PM

Letum, that's great!

Well, it could be worse, I could be PantalonesMcbee:rotfl:

'Shorts' Mcbee?

'Codpiece' Mcbee?

I go no further - getting banned isn't on my to-do list for the day.

HA-Rumph! Ha-Rumph! ha-rumph!

I don't think it's possible to get banned, since I'm not offended.

I could pass as shorts mcbee