"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it 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 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. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not." (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142).
...These were the words of John Adams regarding the Declaration of Independence. The part in bold is my personal favorite, as it clearly depicts what dedication and reverence Adams felt for the cause of independence, a cause he fought for his entire life.
America turns 234 years old today... our Republic has lasted longer than most, and undoubtably thanks to those in uniform that continually pay the price for our freedom, and those that have stood and continue to stand for the principles our Founders built the nation on.
Fifty six men pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor by signing a document severing ties between their 13 colonies and strongest empire on Earth at the time. They knew that it was time to put liberty first, to stand up for the idea of individual rights and freedom for all Americans. Below is the document itself, and I encourage everyone to read through it once or twice today!
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/doi/text.html
I hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th of July... take a moment to remember the generation that created America, the men and women in uniform that have paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom, and those that continue to fight in our defense. God Bless America! :)
Virginia's Resolution on Independence...
``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.''
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