Actually, July second would have been more appropriate. That was the day in 1776 that the Second Contintal Congress actually voted to declare independence. We’re celebrating the anniversary of the ratification of the document, not the act of declaring independence.
when I was in high school, my class took a trip to Williamsburg, VA. The guide we got was British, and he made a point of telling us about July 4 – several times
I figure the reason we commemorate July 4, 1776 rather than September 3, 1783 is that we were independant (in theory) the moment we declared ourselves so, not at the point the British had no choice but to acknowledge it. If we consider independence something that it was in Englands power to grant us or deny us, it undercuts the philosophical arguments of the document itself. It’s the Declaration of Independence, not the Application for Independence.
(On the question of whether July 2 rather than July 4 would be more appropriate, I have no opinion other than to point out that a legal document is usually “effective” on the date it’s executed.)
As a kid, I loved fireworks. Now, living in a dry countryside with dogs and horses I think they’re pretty stupid. (My horse, who knows what to expect from guns and is trained for mounted shooting tends to run through fences when things explode over his head without warning.) My celebration every Fourth is to load my various firearms. take them down to the range I have set up at the bottom of the hill, fire them all, and then clean them. If I can interest a young neighbor in participating and getting some safety training and accuracy pointers, so much the better. We sure didn’t achieve our indepedence with fireworks.
Sept 3 in 1783 was when the Treaty of Paris was signed. It was April 9, 1784 before the King signed off on it in London. .No fireworks either place..“The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, , ,” was during the so-called War of 1812.
Hate to break it to ya, but, the Pearl Harbor attack was ordered well before the 6th of December, 1941…the attack was planned more than a year in advance and the actual order was given in the middle of November, 1941…the Japanese set out on 26 November and arrived early on 7 December…read Wikipedia entry about it or try watching the 1970 movie “Tora! Tora! Tora!”, which is a semi-documentary account of the attack and what preceded it.
Edcole1961 almost 13 years ago
Actually, July second would have been more appropriate. That was the day in 1776 that the Second Contintal Congress actually voted to declare independence. We’re celebrating the anniversary of the ratification of the document, not the act of declaring independence.
lewisbower almost 13 years ago
Daddy always told us to light it then get back quickly. He would have helped but for his three fingers. Have a happy and safe holiday
Hillbillyman almost 13 years ago
Who cares about details?…Have a safe Independence day you all?
bdaverin almost 13 years ago
Nice history lesson!
celeconecca almost 13 years ago
when I was in high school, my class took a trip to Williamsburg, VA. The guide we got was British, and he made a point of telling us about July 4 – several times
fritzoid Premium Member almost 13 years ago
I figure the reason we commemorate July 4, 1776 rather than September 3, 1783 is that we were independant (in theory) the moment we declared ourselves so, not at the point the British had no choice but to acknowledge it. If we consider independence something that it was in Englands power to grant us or deny us, it undercuts the philosophical arguments of the document itself. It’s the Declaration of Independence, not the Application for Independence.
(On the question of whether July 2 rather than July 4 would be more appropriate, I have no opinion other than to point out that a legal document is usually “effective” on the date it’s executed.)
nboady almost 13 years ago
It’s interesting to note that Barney’s trophy wife (Lucretia) was working as a cigarette girl when Barney first met her.
RaiseMoreHell almost 13 years ago
As a kid, I loved fireworks. Now, living in a dry countryside with dogs and horses I think they’re pretty stupid. (My horse, who knows what to expect from guns and is trained for mounted shooting tends to run through fences when things explode over his head without warning.) My celebration every Fourth is to load my various firearms. take them down to the range I have set up at the bottom of the hill, fire them all, and then clean them. If I can interest a young neighbor in participating and getting some safety training and accuracy pointers, so much the better. We sure didn’t achieve our indepedence with fireworks.
Stephen Gilberg almost 13 years ago
Uh, we do celebrate MLK on his birthday (or close to it). That in itself was not so momentous an occasion.
doverdan almost 13 years ago
Sept 3 in 1783 was when the Treaty of Paris was signed. It was April 9, 1784 before the King signed off on it in London. .No fireworks either place..“The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, , ,” was during the so-called War of 1812.
ExRadioGuy almost 13 years ago
Hate to break it to ya, but, the Pearl Harbor attack was ordered well before the 6th of December, 1941…the attack was planned more than a year in advance and the actual order was given in the middle of November, 1941…the Japanese set out on 26 November and arrived early on 7 December…read Wikipedia entry about it or try watching the 1970 movie “Tora! Tora! Tora!”, which is a semi-documentary account of the attack and what preceded it.