Americans celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July every year. Many consider July 4, 1776, as the day that represents the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation.
Yet, July 4, 1776, was not the day that the Continental Congress actually declared independence…that was done on July 2, 1776.
It also was not the day the American Revolution started…that occurred in April of 1775!
And, it was not the day that the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson…that was in June of 1776. The date that the Declaration was delivered to Great Britain was not until November of 1776. And, the date it was signed was August 2, 1776.
So, what did actually happen on July 4, 1776?
The final wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Congress had been working on it for days before the draft was submitted on July 2, and all of the edits and changes were finally agreed upon.
July 4, 1776, later became the date that was included on the Declaration of Independence, as well as on the more elaborate copy that was signed on August 2 of that year. (This copy is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.) When people thought of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 was the date most remembered.
There were few celebrations of the Declaration for the first 15-20 years after it was written. All was very new, and much was happening in the new nation. In the 1790s there were times of disagreement and conflicts between the Democratic-Republicans (who admired Jefferson), and the Federalists, who thought the document was too French and too anti-British. John Adams wrote a letter complaining that Americans seemed uninterested in the past.
However, after the War of 1812, politics changed; the Federalist Party dissolved and new parties were formed that more closely adhered to the policies of Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans. Printed copies of the Declaration were circulated and carried the date of July 4, 1776, at the top of page. It is also possible, that with the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, the promotion of the idea of July 4 became even more prevalent.
As years went by and the celebration of the Fourth of July became more common. Congress, on June 28, 1870, declared that July 4 was to be a federal holiday. It was part of a bill to officially recognize several other holidays, including Christmas.
********
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16 ESV
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 NLT
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen for His own inheritance. Psalm 33:12 NASB
*******************************************
If you liked this story and would like a copy of either of my books,
they are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format:
If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.
*******************************************