Happy Independence Day

[Platapus]

Happy Independence Day

Today, 2 July, 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

[Letum]

Boo!
Traitors to the Crown.
Null and void!

Friends and allies: Repent your treason and swear allegiance to your rightful monarch.
Our empire and rightful lands have been cruel and unjustly stolen. Thieves!

etc.

Happy Independence Day! :D

Happier still the day of reunification. ;)

[UnderseaLcpl]

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

Hmmph! Allies indeed....:nope: It's been almost 200 years since they last burned the Capitol down! Given that we've intervened on their behalf in two World Wars, I'd say they owe us at least one more federal capitol burning, and in a timely fashion. :DL

[SteamWake]

Hmmph! Allies indeed....:nope: It's been almost 200 years since they last burned the Capitol down! Given that we've intervened on their behalf in two World Wars, I'd say they owe us at least one more federal capitol burning, and in a timely fashion. :DL

:har:

oh gawd thats funny...

Ahem... er Happy Independance day ! :salute:

Taxation without representation.... deja vue :oops:

[Platapus]

It would not be an Platapus historical thread without a Platapus "who really cares" trivia question.

Of the 56 signers of the declaration, most of them were Lawyers and Merchants. Only one was a gifted musician. Although he was an amateur, he played the Harpsicord along side professional musicians in concerts in the 1760's.

Name dat dude!

[nikimcbee]

yeah, I say we'll give them back New York and we'll throw in kali-fornia for good measure and we can call it even.:up: No hard feelings.

Any way happy 4th, and all you brits and canucks, back to work!:haha:

[Thomen]

It would not be an Platapus historical thread without a Platapus "who really cares" trivia question.

Of the 56 signers of the declaration, most of them were Lawyers and Merchants. Only one was a gifted musician. Although he was an amateur, he played the Harpsicord along side professional musicians in concerts in the 1760's.

Name dat dude!

Francis Hopkinson?


Hopkinson was a reputed amateur musician. He began to play the harpsichord (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpsichord) at age seventeen and, during the 1750s, hand-copied arias, songs, and instrumental pieces by many European composers. By the 1760s he was good enough on the harpsichord to play with professional musicians in concerts.

[Kapitan_Phillips]

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DA-

http://s3files.core77.com/blog/images/Independence%20Day.jpg


http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk122/good_mate_jones/fffuuuu.jpg

[Platapus]

Francis Hopkinson?

Excellent! :salute:

Next useless trivial question:

Of the 56 signers of the Declaration, only two of them were bachelors.

Name dem dudes!

[Letum]

Signatories, not signers.

Caesar Rodney and Joseph Hewes.

Google makes trivia much less fun.

[Platapus]

Caesar Rodney and Joseph Hewes.

Google makes trivia much less fun.


Excellent.

And I agree. Trivia was so much more interesting back when you had to read books.

[Torplexed]

Happy Fourth of July. See y'all at the fireworks stand. :03:

http://pyxis.homestead.com/Discount-Fireworks.jpg

[Lagger123987]

Happy Fourth of July. See y'all at the fireworks stand. :03:

http://pyxis.homestead.com/Discount-Fireworks.jpg

Dammit! I'm keeping this picture! Happy 4th of July!

[Platapus]

So am I the only one who has the fantasy of driving past a fireworks stand and pulling out a bow and flaming arrow? :D

[UnderseaLcpl]

So am I the only one who has the fantasy of driving past a fireworks stand and pulling out a bow and flaming arrow? :D

No, I have often had the same fantasy; I'm driving past a fireworks stand and pulling out a bow and flaming arrow.. suddenly, I see Megan Fox on the side of the road, hitchhiking......

[Sailor Steve]

I've put up this argument myself, two years ago. Last year someone else said it and I applauded and agreed, and posted a link to my old article. It's one of my favorite stories.

I do, however, have to disagree with a couple of the summations and conclusions.

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.
Lee proposed his Resolution on June 7, and the Continental Congress agreed that they would vote for independence once they had a proper declaration. So technically you could say that June 7 was the real day. Or June 10, when the 'Committee of Five' was appointed to write the document.

I completely agree that July 2 was the day they actually voted to be Independent, but the statment "The Declaration of Independence was not what declared our independence (even back then congress had problems entitling stuff). It was the Lee Resolution", is emphatically not true. The Lee Resolution proposed independence, but the whole point was to tell the world why we were already fighting (just reread the preamble). The actually declaration (telling the world) was published on July 5, and at the top it held the statement "In Congress, July 4, 1776".

[mr chris]

We have a American camp on base and they are throwing a party on the beach in camp tomorrow. Im looking forward to my first 4th of July party even if iam English.

[Sea Demon]

Happy 4th USA. I hope many of my fellow Americans actually take the time this year to understand and reflect on what Independance and Liberty actually means. For all you Americans who value freedom, and have respect for the liberty of others (including their property) I wish you a good day and friendship.

For any far left liberal democrat voters, Obama worshippers, or big government solution types......this is not your holiday. If you want the government to take over responsibility for your health care, or you want an intrusive government tell you and your neighbors what lightbulbs people can use in their homes, you have no business waving little American flags this Saturday.

[Platapus]

Well that did not take long. :nope:

[Onkel Neal]

Happy Independence Day, red, white, and blue forever! :shucks:

[Letum]

Happy Independence Day, red, white, and blue forever!

I knew you Americans would come back into the fold one day! :D
Red, white, and blue forever!

http://www.partnershipsuk.org.uk/uploads/images/big_union_jack%5B1%5D.jpg

[heartc]

http://www.texasstartupblog.com/files/2008/11/american-flag.jpg


Happy 4th July and Congrats for a 233 years old Republican Democracy!


http://www.maxsell.com/images/products/thumbs/german-am.jpg

[Onkel Neal]

I knew you Americans would come back into the fold one day! :D
Red, white, and blue forever!

http://www.partnershipsuk.org.uk/uploads/images/big_union_jack%5B1%5D.jpg


I tipped my hat just the same :)

[AVGWarhawk]

Happy 4th :salute:

[CastleBravo]

On this day of rememberance I pray we also look at why this day exists.
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Not abortion, accomodation to the government, and the mailase of debt.

[stabiz]

Happy birthday, US!:woot:

[Contact]

Happy Independance Day to all Americans!

Make sure you celebrate it accordingly :woot:

[Takeda Shingen]

A happy Independence Day to all!

[U-104]

Happy Independance Day USA! :salute::woot::yeah:

[Jimbuna]

Have a great day America http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/Party.gif

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/8804/0506.gif (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/0506.gif/)

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk205/dazj3/holidays/independence-day/7.gif

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w285/kimmychilds/fj/fj0908.gif

[CaptainHaplo]

For those who are history buffs - the start of the independance movement was much previous. All should read the "Declaration of Arms" - as it in many ways has its corollaries today.

[mookiemookie]

4 More Forgotten Founding Fathers

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/declaration-trumbull-565x370.jpg
This Saturday is July 4, a day when Americans of all shapes and sizes will come together to commemorate the founding of their country, and the noble pursuit of life, liberty, and overcooked hamburgers. Here’s a quick quiz question – how many people signed the Declaration of Independence? We’re betting that few of you, not including the people who compulsively Googled that question, knew the answer is 56.
Fifty-six?! Yes, there were far more Founding Fathers than most people learn about in civics class. Last year (http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/16175), we told you about five of these men – Carter Braxton, Button Gwinnett, Robert Treat Paine, Edward Rutledge and William Whipple. As fun as it is to type the names “Button Gwinnett” and “William Whipple,” here are four more founders you may not have heard of.
1. George Read – the one who voted against independence

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/george-read.JPGYes, it’s true: not all of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were in favor of independence. George Read was the lone holdout when the final vote was held in the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776.

At age 15, Read began studying the law, and he was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar in 1753, when he was only 19 years old. Before he had even passed the bar exam, however, he was entrusted with numerous legal responsibilities under the tutelage of well-respected Pennsylvania lawyer John Moland. Like many of the other Founding Fathers, he stood in opposition to Parliamentary measures like the Stamp Act in the 1760s. But for more than a decade he publicly maintained the belief that the colonies’ interests and Britain’s interests could be peacefully reconciled.

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/george-read-2-300x268.jpgWhen he was elected to the first Continental Congress on behalf of Delaware, it looked as though his voice would be drowned out by two far more liberal delegates, Thomas McKean and Caesar Rodney. However, Rodney’s asthma and skin cancer kept him out of the legislative body a good deal, which empowered Read enough to endanger Delaware’s participation in the revolution (see #2 below).

Once the revolution had begun, Read defended his state admirably, raising money, troops and supplies to assist the counter-invasion war effort.
2. Caesar Rodney – the one who barely made it

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/rodney-21-247x300.jpgAny numismatists (people who study money) reading this might recognize Caesar Rodney’s name. He shows up on the back of that state’s quarter, mounted on a horse. Why a horse? He was a relatively minor player on the battlefield, but Rodney is best remembered for an all-night ride from Dover, Delaware to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to break a crucial tie in the Continental Congress.

Rodney was one of three delegates to the Congress from Delaware, along with George Read and Thomas McKean. But owing in part to his illnesses, Caesar spent most of his time outside of the capital, usually attending to military duties as a brigadier general in the Delaware militia. He was leading an investigation into Loyalist activity in Sussex County when, on the evening of July 1, he received a dispatch from McKean: on July 2, the delegates were going to vote on whether or not to sever ties from Britain. Read and McKean were deadlocked in their stances on independence – if Delaware was to be a part of the movement, Rodney’s vote was needed to break the tie.

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/rodney-quarter-300x299.jpgLeaving from his home at midnight, Rodney rode all night through a thunderstorm to the capital. The precise details of Caesar’s Midnight Ride have been skewed a bit as the story entered the folklore – Rodney either arrived at Independence Hall just as the debate was ending or while the vote was already in progress. All versions of the story have the same dramatic ending, though; Rodney entered the hall, unkempt and covered with mud, and announced, “As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of independence, my own judgment concurs with them. I vote for independence.”

This is a pretty nifty story, to be sure. But Rodney may also be remembered for what John Adams said about him: “Caesar Rodney is the oddest-looking man in the world.”
3. John Witherspoon – the one who coined “Americanism”

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/John-Witherspoon.jpgOriginally hailing from Scotland, Rev. John Witherspoon was the only active member of the clergy to sign the Declaration. His legacy in America, though, isn’t in politics, but in education – Witherspoon was the sixth president of the College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton University. It took two years for representatives of the school to get Witherspoon to come to America (his wife in particular was initially opposed to the idea). Once the reverend took over at the helm in 1768, the school flourished.

According to the president’s biography on the Princeton website, he was “a man of strong convictions,” but introduced students to ideas with which he had publicly disagreed. He is remembered as a dynamic intellectual who brought the thinking of the Scottish Enlightenment into the mainstream in the colonies. Indeed, his ideas have a direct link to the nation’s history, since the students who graduated during his tenure included one president (James Madison), one vice-president (Aaron Burr), 60 members of Congress and three Supreme Court justices.

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/witherspoon-2-300x260.jpgBut even though he had only a meek presence in the political sphere, Witherspoon was the person who coined the term “Americanism” in an essay on language. When John Adams visited Princeton in 1774, he met with Witherspoon and was seriously impressed. The future president of the U.S. said the college president was “as high a Son of Liberty, as any man in America.”

On a less historical note, Reese Witherspoon, who played Elle Woods in the Legally Blonde movies, is a direct descendant (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/reese-witherspoon-legally-blonde-physically-flawed-555711.html). John would surely be proud.
4. Robert Morris – the one who went from prince to pauper

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/robert-morris.JPGRobert Morris made a lot of money off of the Revolutionary War, but without his efforts, the Continental Army might not have made it through to the surrender at Yorktown. He was one of many merchants who spoke out in opposition to the Stamp Act, but the eventual Pennsylvania delegate didn’t get very involved with the American effort until after Lexington & Concord. On July 1, 1776, he actually voted against independence, but unlike George Read, he was more flexible in his views. On the next day, he did not attend the final vote, which ensured that Pennsylvania would be part of the united front against the redcoats.

As George Washington faced down a war that at times looked hopeless, Morris toiled in and out of Congress to help keep the country’s finances afloat. In addition to borrowing money from the states, he sponsored troops on his own on occasion, taking out personal loans and sending them the army’s way. It was Morris who acquired the loan from France that financed Gen. Washington’s Yorktown campaign.

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/robert-morris-2-240x300.jpgAs the Superintendent of Finance under the short-lived Articles of Confederation, Robert demanded that he should personally purchase all Army and Navy supplies and once again fell back on his own checkbook to help stabilize the fledgling country’s budget.

After declining Washington’s offer to be the first Secretary of the Treasury under the new Constitution, Morris became a senator for the state of Pennsylvania. To his detriment, he also began speculating, on overextended credit, in the south and in the District of Columbia. Knowing he couldn’t pay off his debt, he tried to flee creditors, but to no avail. He wound up in debtors’ prison for three years. Upon his release in 1801, his wealth and property had dissipated and, for the next five years until his death, the once-rich Morris lived in poverty.

[Captain Vlad]

Happy Independence Day, everyone!