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!

Happier still the day of reunification.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Platapus

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

Hmmph! Allies indeed.... 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.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

Hmmph! Allies indeed.... 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.

oh gawd thats funny...

Ahem... er Happy Independance day !

Taxation without representation.... deja vue

[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. No hard feelings.

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

[Thomen]

Originally Posted by 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!

Francis Hopkinson?

Hopkinson was a reputed amateur musician. He began to play the 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-

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Thomen

Francis Hopkinson?

Excellent!

Next useless trivial question:

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

Name dem dudes!

[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.

Originally Posted by Platapus

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.

[Onkel Neal]

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