One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams of Massachusetts, who later became our first Vice-President under Washington and then our second President, wrote to his wife Abigail, "The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America".
He missed it by two days. Independence Day is actually celebrated on July 4, the date that the wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved.
Here it is in full. I encourage you to enlarge it (if you can -- you may have to use a magnifying glass) and read it in its entirety in the old-fashioned cursive script of the time. Even "our Brittish brethren" (a phrase used in the Declaration) and Canadian and Australian friends. It is an exercise worth doing at least once in your life.
It is much out of fashion in today's cancel culture. All the more reason.
It is one of the greatest pieces of all time. It should be read every year to celebrate the foundation of our country.
ReplyDeleteEmma, or even more often.
DeleteI agree with Emma, this should be read each year. A good and timely post sir.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, thank you!
DeleteI love the second paragraph, "we hold these truths..."
ReplyDeleteSeems like we have gotten away from the ideals of the founding fathers although they weren't perfect either.
Hope you have a good 4th of July.
Kathy, American history is not being taught, or at least emphasized, in the schools the way it once was. It's easy for people to "get away" from the founders' ideals if they never knew them in the first place.
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