Happy 4th of July
This is my FAVORITE holiday of the entire year! I have a BA in American History, so to me, this is the day of all days.
My Dad really started the obsessed feelings surrounding this day. Every year, we would all gather as a family around the breakfast table and read the Declaration of Independence. Despite each of us having our own, personal copies of the Declaration, we would read it from the back of the front section of the New York Times, where it is printed every year.
We would take turns reading a sentence of two. The whole process took about 20 minutes- more if you factor in the time spent deciphering the calligraphy. It was a great bonding moment, and got us all thinking about the importance of this day.
Now, in reality, July 4th is NOT the day we declared our independence from England. The Continental Congress formally declared independence on July 2, 1776. Most of the delegates actually signed the document on August 2, 1776, once a formal copy of the Declaration was finished by Timothy Matlack, the official scribe of the Continental Congress. Several delegates did not add their signatures until days or even weeks later. So much for the famous scene captured in John Trumbull’s painting which currently hangs in the Rotunda of the US Capitol. No such signing ceremony ever took place.
My favorite story about the 4th is the tale of Adams and Jefferson. On July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years since the signing of the Declaration, both President John Adams and President Thomas Jefferson died. Their friendship had been carried through the flight for independence and the creation of a new government, and for years, the two were bitter rivals. But in their “retirement” the two former revolutionaries came together to rekindle their friendship died peacefully on the same day. Legend has it that Adams’ last word were “Jefferson survives” which is especially moving since Jefferson had passed on hours earlier. While no proof of these final words exists, it’s a wonderful story.
This weekend, you better believe that I’ll have my copy of the Declaration ready to go, and while I won’t be with my Dad on Sunday, we’ll read it over the phone to each other. Your “take action” call for the day- celebrate the birth of this country and enjoy some quality time with the people around you. Have a very very happy 4th of July.
