“I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival,” John Adams wrote his wife, Abigail. “It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forever more.”
John was a little off, as the day he was referring to was July 2, the day that the Second Continental Congress approved the Lee Resolution: “Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” I guess we can’t blame him, who the hell would have thought it would take another two days to produce a final draft of a Declaration of Independence? (Really, who would have predicted that argument over deep sea fishing rights?)
I think about the men who debated and signed that Declaration 230 years ago. I think, as I sit in shorts and a tank top in my airconditioned living room, about how they sweltered in their heavy clothes in July, most of the time with the windows shut so no one could hear that they were discussing treason. I think about their different backgrounds and different concerns, and how they were able to pull together and create a new country. I think about the army they created out of common men, and how those common men through sheer willpower rose up and beat the most powerful military force in the world. And I think about what has happened in the 230 years since they declared our independence from King George III. Would those men be happy with the direction their fledgling country has taken? I think for large parts of our history, the answer would be yes. I think that for the last 6 years, the answer would be no. What did they start all those years ago? What is America?
Here’s some of it:
In the end, I still have to thank those gentlemen who sweltered and debated in Philadelphia all those years ago. At times we may not have done the best we could have with what they gave us, but without them we would never have had the opportunity. Thank you.
A powerful message on our Independence Day. What an incredible thing they did. Imagine not being able to do this by teleconferencing or satellite hook up… they actually had to be in the same room together.
Well said, but…Superman? He wasn’t even American, dude.
KtP~But what did Superman stand for? “Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” It’s an immigrant country, Supes is an immigrant. Nuff said.
Nanner~And all the time they were away from their families…read the letters John and Abigail Adams wrote to each other while he was in Philly. Actually, read any of their letters to each other. They were an amazing couple.
Well said. And Amen.
Much as I love the Brits I’m glad they are there and we are here
As I was drifting off to sleep last night, I totally had another comment about Superman, and it was a good one (at least to a sleepy Peon it was). It, like all other good comments, escapes me now…
Lisa~Me, too. Although if given the choice between Dubya and Tony Blair, I might have to go with Tony Blair. The slightly lesser of two evils, ya know?
KtP~The comment you left was funny. I was also trying to be funny. Note to self: “nation of immigrants” joke doesn’t fly as well as I thought it would.
Okay, see, THAT was funny. They were all funny, actually. We’re funny womyn. I’m patting myself on the back right now. And also shutting up.