Independence discussions

July 4th is Saturday.  Hopefully, we will remember that the day is much more than fireworks, baseball games and family picnics.  It is a celebration commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence from England by of the thirteen colonies in America.  More to come on that later in the week.

Did you ever wonder about the activities leading up to the 4th?  That precious document didn’t just suddenly appear.  Here is a little of the history, part of which is below.  I can just imagine Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, etc., saying “Imagine the possibilities!” or, “Don’t worry about how the mother-land will react; stay fully present to our independence!”

• June 7 – Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, receives Richard Henry Lee’s resolution urging Congress to declare independence.
• June 11 – Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston appointed to a committee to draft a declaration of independence. American army retreats to Lake Champlain from Canada.
• June 12-27 – Jefferson, at the request of the committee, drafts a declaration, of which only a fragment exists. Jefferson’s clean, or “fair” copy, the “original Rough draught,” is reviewed by the committee. Both documents are in the manuscript collections of the Library of Congress.
• June 28 – A fair copy of the committee draft of the Declaration of Independence is read in Congress.
• July 1-4 – Congress debates and revises the Declaration of Independence.
• July 2 – Congress declares independence as the British fleet and army arrive at New York.
• July 4 – Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in the morning of a bright, sunny, but cool Philadelphia day. John Dunlap prints the Declaration of Independence.

Great detail of the events leading up to the actual signing were documented by Thomas Jeffeson.  Click here to read his reporting of the events, along with his commentary.  Just imagine the burden these men carried.  How lucky are we that our founding fathers were possibility thinkers!

As you look ahead to prepare for your July 4th activities, don’t forget the activities that were happening 233 years ago, as some very courageous men were also looking ahead, preparing a fledgling country for its birth.

Explore posts in the same categories: Leadership, Politics

Tags: Holidays, Leadership, Politics, Possibilities

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