Happy Independence Day
 

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

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. ;)

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:

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!

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:

Francis Hopkinson?

Excellent! :salute:

Next useless trivial question:

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

Name dem dudes!

Signatories, not signers.

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.

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!

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......