Independence Day - God Bless America

In June 1776, Richard Henry Lee from Virginia proposed a resolution of independence from Britain. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the resolution. After approval, Congress wanted a Declaration of Independence to explain their decision.

A Committee of Five men shown in the picture above wrote it up. Congress debated on the declaration and revised it. The Declaration of Independence was finally approved on July 4th. The Committee of Five was composed of Roger Sherman, a lawyer and politician from Connecticut; Benjamin Franklin, a writer, a spokesman, an ambassador, etc; Thomas Jefferson, the third President of The United States; John Adams, the second President of The United States; Robert Livingston, a lawyer, politician, and diplomat from New York.

My favorite part of the declaration is the first part:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness - That to secure these rights,

(Now the next part becomes interesting -remember this come election time)

Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government....."

It appears that we are approaching the threshold of the above statement. Our government is out of control. As each member of Congress comes up for re-election, we need to vote for the person running against that incumbent - no matter what party. Taking sides is evidently not working. I think it's time for career politicians to go home. If any Senator or Representative has served 2 terms, GO HOME! If they haven't fixed the problems of our beloved country in 8 years, they have failed.

~ Now Back To Independence Day ~

Just why do we celebrate Independence Day with parades, fire works, etc. Could it have been initiated by John Adams?

John Adams wrote this letter to his wife on July 3, 1776 - the day after the declaration was presented and the day before its final approval.

"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".

In conclusion, there is one series of coincidences that should be mentioned - both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the United States' 50th anniversary.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!