The Declaration of Independence? July 4th 1776 The Declaration of Independence?

What does this date mean to you?

July 4th 1776 Summer Holiday Independence Day Fireworks BBQs Parties America Patriotism

Why do we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th? What happened on that day to make it be recognized as the national holiday and the official birthday of our nation?

July 4th 1776 Everybody knows we celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July. But as good historians, we can’t just accept July 4th 1776 as the day of independence. We must check primary sources to make sure this basic historical fact in any American history textbook is accurate.

Pieces of Evidence

Item #1 On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, Delegate from Virginia, rose on the floor of the Continental Congress and made the following resolution: “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 all connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

Item #2 On June 11, 1776, Congress constituted Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingstone as a Committee of Five responsible fro drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Item #3 July 1, 1776, according to the notes of Thompson, Congress resolved read and agreed the next day “…to take into consideration the resolution respecting independence.”

Item #4 According to the notes of Thompson, Congress on July 2, 1776 read and agreed to the original resolution of Richard Henry lee of June 7, 1776.

Item #5 On that same day, John Adams wrote his wife Abigail and Predicted that July 2, 1776 would be remembered as “…the most memorable Epoca 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 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.”

Item #6 July 4, 1776, the formal Declaration of Independence from the Committee of Five was reported back to the Congress, accepted, and sent to the printer. (Benjamin Franklin)

Item #7 On August 2, 1776, the members of Congress, headed by John Hancock, the President of Congress, formally signed the Declaration of Independence.

Item #8 In 1906, historian John Hazelton established that of all of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were in Philadelphia on August 2, 1776 and could not have signed it until October or November, 1776.

Item #9 July 4, 1826, two former Presidents of the United States, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams dies happy that their country was now fifty years old.

Now Let Us Consider… When was the declaration signed? When did John Adams first believe the Declaration of Independence should be celebrated? Do you think Adams changed his mind on his death bed? When should it be celebrated? What really happened on July 4th 1776?

Resources Ford, Worthington C. Ed., et al. 1904-1937. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. Also available at the Library of Congress Website: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwdg.html Hazelton, John H. 1970 [c1906}. The Declaration of Independence: Its History. Imprint New York: Da Capo Press.

Resources Smith, Page. 1962. John Adams Volumes I & II. Garden City, NY: Doubleday. Smith, Paul H., et al., eds. 1976-2999. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774-1789. 25 volumes, Washington, D.D.: Library of Congress.