Happy Independence Day

Tomorrow, Sunday, July 2, 2006, we celebrate the 230th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.

What's that you say; we celebrate the anniversary Tuesday, July 4th?

Well, maybe you do. But as for me, I'll continue to celebrate Independence Day on the 2nd, thank you. You see, it was on July 2nd that the United Colonies of America voted to officially become the United States of America. That was the act that started the ball rolling. The document that announced the act of voting into existence a new country wasn't polished and "initialed" until July 4.

Now, do you celebrate the day the decision was made, especially such a momentous decision such as that, or do you celebrate the day the paperwork was "initialed?"

John Adams thought you should celebrate the decision to separate the colonies from Great Britain. In a letter to his wife, Abigail, he wrote: "The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. . . . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

I mentioned that the document was only "initialed" on July 4. There were only two signatures placed on the Declaration of Independence on that day, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. The Declaration of Independence that you normally see with all the signatures affixed was actually signed on August 2, 1776.

So, if you're going to celebrate the date the paperwork was completed, why aren't we celebrating August 2nd as Independence day?

Do you really want to know how July 4th became the day you celebrate Independence Day? In 1777, Congress didn't think about a celebration until July 3, so they decided to celebrate the next day, July 4th. That's Congress for you; always a day or two late.

BTW, if you don't believe me, you do the research!