John Adams was one of the stuffier characters of the Revolution, so it always tickles me that among his voluminous pronouncements and predictions, he got this big one -- the anniversary of the nation's independence -- wrong by 48 hours.
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress declared American independence. So why are we celebrating the big day on the Fourth of July? That's the day the Declaration of Independence was revised, signed by the whole crowd, and then officially adopted.
Even so, it took several days more for the big news to reach the other colonies and get to General George Washington, and I've read that it wasn't until 1777 the formal anniversary was set -- as July 4.
Adams figured the date of declaring independence itself would be the big hullabaloo, not the final signing, and in a July 3 letter to his wife, Abigail, he wrote "The second day of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that this will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great Anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forever."
I found this letter in Liberty and Union, an 1888 history book of mine. At least the editors didn't do what I gather some history texts did: they pulled a "1984" and "rectified," to use Orwell's word, the date in the Adams letter, changing it to July 4. Because it wouldn't do for a Founding Fathers to be anything but infallible.
I say we split the difference and start celebrating today. Let crotchety ol' John Adams have one -- for the books.
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Consume! That is the American Way, and the best way to acknowledge our freedom!~
This 4th of July, though, sees our once-great country in the grip of one of the meanest fascist governments in the history of civilization.
Our country has transformed into something very ugly, something to be feared, something where compassion and caring about others has disappeared, replaced by polarization and hatred.
I am sad this 4th. I don't think we have anything to celebrate, right now. We'll see what happens in November.
If McMussolini and the Rove/Cheney fascists retain power, if they steal the election again this time, I will be the first to take arms against them.
If what used to be our democracy is subverted yet again, it will be time for us, the people, to rise up for a Second American Revolution.
Are you out of your mind? I see caring and compassion all over the place. Who donated huge sums of aid to Burma after the typhoon, Indonesia after the tsunami, and Pakistan after the earthquake? And didn't George Bush make the largest contribution in history to combat AIDS in Africa? Weren't record amounts raised to help Katrina victims? What is wrong with you?
As for "polarization", that's been part of the America scene since Whigs argued with Tories, and it's not a BAD thing either. Would you prefer one-party rule like they have in Russia? (Don't answer that.)
Lastly hatred. The only abject hatred I see is that which the lefties in this country hold for the American right.
But what about all the racial profiling of Muslims as potential terrorists. What about the current immigration problem and the profiling of hispanics? Extraordinary rendition, No Habeus Corpus, unlimited detention without charge, invasion without provocation, treating GLBT's as not equal, etc. Do you consider these caring and compassionate acts?
Do you remember GW stating "You're either with us or against us." Now there is one of the most polarizing statements I have ever heard. That statement also incites hatred in the form of I agree with you or I am the enemy. And I am sure you will admit that you hate your enemies, otherwise war would not break out..
So, is this all left wing attacks on the right or is it the policy of an ultra right government?
The earliest instance I can find is in the January 1826 issue of the Christian periodical "The Monthly Repository of Theology and General Literature," edited by Robert Aspland. And, it has an intro saying that Adams wrote the letter to "a friend," not to Abigail. The article begins:
4TH JULY, 1776.
Extract from a Letter to a Friend in Quincy, written by the venerable and revered Patriot JOHN ADAMS, on tht Day subsequent to the adoption of the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, by the Continental Congress:
"PHILADELPHIA, July 5, 1776.
"Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever debated in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony -- 'THAT THESE UNITED STATES ARE, AND OF RIGHT OUGHT TO BE, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES.'" The day is passed. The 4th of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, at the great Anniversary Festival. ..."
Earthlings Unite!