As we enter July, it’s time to think about our nation’s holiday – Independence Day.
I’ve sometimes wondered what it would have been like being there well over two centuries ago, reporting on the events of this special and unique day.
Just imagine being there. … It’s July 4, 1776, and a group of our founding fathers are sitting in a room. Two days earlier, as part of the American Revolution, the Second Continental Congress had decided on the legal separation of the original 13 colonies from Great Britain, meaning they were no longer subject to King George III and were united, free and independent states.
After voting to approve a resolution of independence on July 2, Congress turned its attention to the document explaining the decision which had been prepared by a Committee of Five – Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston. Jefferson did most of the principle writing.
History tells us that Congress debated and revised the declaration and approved it on July 4. It was signed by 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress.
Thus, a new nation was born: The United States of America.
The following day, copies of the Declaration of Independence were distributed, and on July 6 the Pennsylvania Evening Post became the first newspaper to print its contents.
On July 8, the first public readings of the declaration took place in Philadelphia’s Independence Square. Bells were rung and bands played music to mark the occasion.
One year later, the city of Philadelphia marked “Independence Day” by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks.
As a newspaperman, I can only imagine being there at our country’s founding and reporting on that momentous occasion. What could the headlines read?
“Colonies break free from Britain.” “States declare independence.” “Congress votes for freedom.” “We’re united, free and independent.” “Say goodbye to the king.” “We’re on our own.”
But here we are today, reporting the 246th episode of the ongoing series of America.
No matter what you believe today, our country was founded as one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all. In my book, we are intended to continue as such.
And, as our declaration states, we are all created equal and we all “are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Amen.
The final sentence of the Declaration of Independence reads this way: “And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”
These days, our unity is in question, as is our true pledge to each other. There are so many things that seemingly are pulling us apart and tearing at that unity in which we were founded.
Things are skewed, twisted and rearranged. And that’s a shame.
I love this country. I still believe it’s the best country in the world. We still have a lot going for us. But it’s time to refocus on being the United States of America, and there is no time like the present to do just that.
There are so many words that could be added as we get ready to again celebrate our independence on Monday. Here are a few …
“I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.” – Wendell Willkie
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” – Abraham Lincoln
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” – Elmer Davis
“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” – Harry S. Truman
“From every mountainside, let freedom ring.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness.” – Louis D. Brandeis
“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” – Benjamin Franklin
“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” – William Faulkner.
“If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace.” – Hamilton Fish
“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” – Thomas Paine
“We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end.” – Woodrow Wilson.
This weekend, including July 4 on Monday, as we pause, reflect and celebrate our independence, let’s remember how our country started and how our founding fathers envisioned these United States of America.
We are, indeed, one people, one nation, created equally under God.
Let us truly and mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor – and move forward as such together.
Happy Independence Day!
As always, thanks for reading.
Comment
Comments