“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”—Ronald Reagan
“If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” —George Washington
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” —Nelson Mandela
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” —Benjamin Franklin
I am writing this week while traveling, so I will be brief…especially related to the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress, thus ushering in the formation of the first 13 colonies, as the United States of America.
It might make for an iconic painting, but that famous image of all the Founding Fathers and Continental Congress huddled together, presenting the first draft of the Declaration of Independence for a July 4, 1776 signing, isn’t quite how things really went down. As historian David McCullough wrote, “No such scene, with all the delegates present, ever occurred at Philadelphia.”
It’s now generally accepted that the Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed on the Fourth of July—that is the day the document was formally dated, finalized, and adopted by the Continental Congress, which had officially voted for independence on July 2 (the day John Adams thought we should celebrate.) The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence occurred primarily on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, later to become known as Independence Hall.
July 2, 1776 is the day that the Continental Congress actually voted for independence. John Adams, in his writings, even noted that July 2 would be remembered in the annals of American history and would be marked with fireworks and celebrations.
John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed early printed copies of the Declaration to be given to military officers and various political committees, but the bulk of the other 54 men signed an official engrossed (finalized and in larger print) copy on August 2, with others following at a later date. Hancock (boldly) signed his name again on the updated version.
Why.
If you do not know where you came from, then you most likely don’t know where you currently are, and if you don’t know where you are, then you certainly do not know where you are going. And if you don’t know where you’re going, you’re probably heading in the wrong direction. (My interpretation of several writers from Maya Angelou to Terry Pritchett)
In the greater scheme of things whether we celebrate on the 2nd or on the 4th, is probably not a world changing adjustment, but is is always good for us to grow, and to understand our history better. It will make us better citizens and agents of truth.
It is feasible that many of the things that are tearing America apart today are related to people’s commitment to ignorance. It is easy to re-write History if you do not know first, what your own history is.
Action.
Take some time to read the story of the founding of America. Though our founding fathers certainly didn’t get it 100% right, most of them did do the best with what they had, and they did it with integrity, courage and a commitment to the Republic. We could ask for little more from our leaders today, commitments that so few seem willing to make.
The follow-up.
Honoring Our Past and Rededicating to Our Future…https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/18679/honoring-past-rededicating-future
Fatalities, More Than 1,000 Injuries Reported In Karakalpakstan Unrest…https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2022/07/mil-220703-rferl02.htm?_m=3n%2e002a%2e3369%2ejv0ao0az9m%2e34kd
The feed-back.
For your comments or questions about any of our digests please feel free to write to me at: david@morethanmeets.co