Every year we Americans celebrate our independence by blowing stuff up and eating grilled steaks. We spend time with our families by going to a parade or a patriotic program. Older audiences might again watch Mel Gibson outwit the British regulars in the movie Patriot. We do all these things, but how were the founders celebrating when they declared independence?
Here is a passage from David McCullough that illustrates how the 4th of July was first celebrated:
"In latter years the excessive summer heat of Philadelphia would frequently figure in accounts of Thursday, July 4, 1776. In fact, the day, like the one before, was pleasantly cool and comfortable. In Congress, discussion of the Declaration appears to have continued through the morning until about eleven o' clock, when debate was closed and the vote taken…"
McCullough continues to paint us a picture of how independence was celebrated after he reports that after looking through the founder's original documents that "Indeed, to all appearances, nothing happened in Congress on July 4, 1776." However, the celebrations did become more lively throughout the rest of the week: "…by the following morning, the fifth, printer John Dunlap had broadside editions available and the delegates were busy sending copies to friends. On July 6, the Pennsylvania Evening Post carried the full text on its first page."
Surprisingly, perhaps, is that the celebration of independence day did not occur until after both the signing and the week of the signing. In fact the observance of American independence did not happen until Monday, July 8; four days after the initial signing! McCullough said: "The great day of celebration came Monday, July 8, at noon in the State House Yard, when the Declaration was read aloud before an exuberant crowd. With drums punning, five battalions paraded through the city and 'on the common, gave us the feu de joie [thirteen cannon blasts], notwithstanding the scarcity of powder," as Adams recorded. Bells rang through the day and into the night. there were bonfires at street corners. Houses were illumined with candles in their windows."
-David McCullough, John Adams
The natal celebration of Independence gives the impression that it was the party of the century, and perhaps it was, but can you imagine trying to enjoy a holiday with the threat of a looming war? These were the days that sparked a massive chain of events that would lead to everything that we have come to know. Through the bloody conflict between brother nations, we have experienced a dawn of freedom and prosperity unrivaled. Let us really celebrate the 4th of July with the images that McCullough gave us, and remember the sacrifices that have been made countless times for the cause of freedom, let us not celebrate this monumental day shallowly, but with the depth and zeal it deserves. I wish you all a passionately patriotic Fourth of July!
Here is a passage from David McCullough that illustrates how the 4th of July was first celebrated:
"In latter years the excessive summer heat of Philadelphia would frequently figure in accounts of Thursday, July 4, 1776. In fact, the day, like the one before, was pleasantly cool and comfortable. In Congress, discussion of the Declaration appears to have continued through the morning until about eleven o' clock, when debate was closed and the vote taken…"
McCullough continues to paint us a picture of how independence was celebrated after he reports that after looking through the founder's original documents that "Indeed, to all appearances, nothing happened in Congress on July 4, 1776." However, the celebrations did become more lively throughout the rest of the week: "…by the following morning, the fifth, printer John Dunlap had broadside editions available and the delegates were busy sending copies to friends. On July 6, the Pennsylvania Evening Post carried the full text on its first page."
Surprisingly, perhaps, is that the celebration of independence day did not occur until after both the signing and the week of the signing. In fact the observance of American independence did not happen until Monday, July 8; four days after the initial signing! McCullough said: "The great day of celebration came Monday, July 8, at noon in the State House Yard, when the Declaration was read aloud before an exuberant crowd. With drums punning, five battalions paraded through the city and 'on the common, gave us the feu de joie [thirteen cannon blasts], notwithstanding the scarcity of powder," as Adams recorded. Bells rang through the day and into the night. there were bonfires at street corners. Houses were illumined with candles in their windows."
-David McCullough, John Adams
The natal celebration of Independence gives the impression that it was the party of the century, and perhaps it was, but can you imagine trying to enjoy a holiday with the threat of a looming war? These were the days that sparked a massive chain of events that would lead to everything that we have come to know. Through the bloody conflict between brother nations, we have experienced a dawn of freedom and prosperity unrivaled. Let us really celebrate the 4th of July with the images that McCullough gave us, and remember the sacrifices that have been made countless times for the cause of freedom, let us not celebrate this monumental day shallowly, but with the depth and zeal it deserves. I wish you all a passionately patriotic Fourth of July!
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