"" Writer's Wanderings: Are We Celebrating Independence On The Wrong Day?

Thursday, July 04, 2019

Are We Celebrating Independence On The Wrong Day?

My eyes grew bigger and my mouth gaped. Is this true? Are we celebrating US independence on the wrong day? Yes and no.

In looking for something interesting to post about on this day of celebration when everything red, white and blue will be found from desserts to fashion to fireworks and beyond I ran across an article on the History website that revealed some facts about the Declaration of Independence that I was unaware of. In all the historical places we have visited, I've never heard, or I didn't pay enough attention, to the fact that it was July 2, 1776 when the Continental Congress voted in favor of a resolution for independence.

On that day, July 2, John Adams wrote to his wife that July 2 would be a day "celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival." He suggested the celebration would include "Pomp and Parade. . .Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations. . ."

Two days later, on July 4, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, penned mostly by Thomas Jefferson.

So while the declaration of independence was passed July 2, the Declaration of Independence was not accepted formally until July 4. Maybe we should have more than one official day of celebration.

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