Happy Independence Day 2013
“And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”
Those were more than just words, for when the founders affixed their names under those words they did exactly what those words said; they pledged their lives, fortunes, and honor towards the founding of a new nation and a cause that they believed so firmly in that they were willing to die for it.
Independence was officially approved on July 2nd but it wasn’t until July 4th that the final version of the Declaration was voted on and passed with these famous words: “We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, 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; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levey war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.”
But independence was not yet won.
There would be many years of conflict to follow, there would be more defeats than victories before the war ended, but in the end victory was achieved and a new nation was born.
The war had been raging on for over a year when the Declaration was signed, but up until July 4th 1776 America was in a war which was being fought to reestablish her natural born rights as Englishmen, it was not a war for independence. This document changed that and henceforth this was a war of separation.
While people such as Samuel Adams were clamoring for independence, and while George Washington secretly hoped that America would declare its independence as he was leading the Continental Army against the British, it was a pamphlet called “Common Sense” which was written by Thomas Paine that finally convinced many of the founders and citizens of America that independence was not only justifiable, but was also proper.
Thomas Paine was the first person to actually set down in words the reasoning for American independence, and why it was a noble and worthy cause; and he is credited as the first person to actually brand this nation the “United States of America.”
When the founders signed this document they became traitors to the Crown and if captured they would have been hanged as such– losing all three pledges they had sworn to each other. They all understood this and were willing to pay the price as Benjamin Franklin famously quipped, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
While they never had to pay the ultimate price for the freedom they have given us–an estimated 25,000 men did, fighting for the cause they believed in–many of them did end up bankrupt or near bankrupt and in debt. So when they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor there was no turning back. Many of them may have lost their fortunes, but they never lost their honor.
Now it was up to the Continental Army to deliver us the freedom the Declaration rightfully claimed belonged to Americans. The battle went on for many years and it wasn’t until October 19th in 1781 at Yorktown that General Lord Cornwallis surrendered his army to General Washington by sending his second in command to surrender his sword instead of doing it himself as was considered proper in the day–a slight that George Washington was offended by and never forgave–that hostilities ended and a year later the Treaty of Paris was signed and independence was official.
But none of those events would have happened if it wasn’t for the Declaration that was signed on this day in 1776 and so today we celebrate the birth of the greatest nation in the history of the world. ”It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”
I hope that everyone enjoys their Fourth of July. Let the fireworks and the grilling begin! Please take a little time during this Fourth of July holiday to think about the men and women who are serving this country today– as well as all of those in the past– who have dedicated their lives to ensure that the vision of our founders remains intact and that a ”government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
I am sharing with you two videos this year: The first is a video of Patrick Henry’s infamous “Liberty or Death” speech and the second is the scene from the HBO mini-series “John Adams” when the Declaration is adopted.
America's Watchtower 
Have a great day Steve, and to your family as well. The HBO John Adams series should be shown in every school. A true core curriculum.
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I had a great day and I hope you did as well. My son actually got extra credit for taping John Adams and bringing it into school to watch.
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As students during the 50’s and 60’s this material was part of our curriculum. How far we have come from what made this country great. Our founders had a natural revulsion and aversion towards taxes and unrepresentative government. Today, along with overwhelming corruption, these are at the core of our undoing. Today there is no Patrick Henry and if there was he would be ridiculed by the left and marginalized by the establishment right. Those if us who care to must continue to teach our children and grandchildren where we came from and maybe, just maybe, one day our country will return to pursue its God given destiny. For now while we are still allowed to, enjoy this glorious 4th.
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How RIGHT you are Peter! I was born in 1950 and knew my American history. My grandkids are coming over for the cook out and fireworks….but NOT before they’re read some material about what made our Nation the best in the world..(minus Obama of course!)
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Wendy, I also was born in 1950. I miss the 10 cent boxes of sparklers as well as the innocence of those years among other things…
(I imagine the Obamas will be spending their 4th in prison at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue .)
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They just don’t teach American history they way they used to and I think it is intentional because they do not want the next generations to understand what the founders thought the role of the government was.
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Beautiful, Steve!
Thank you for posting the video of Patrick Henry’s speech. That is one of my favorite quotes.
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You are welcome, it always amazes me that the people back during that time period were able to write and give a speech like that and not have to read it.
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July 4
Patrick Henry’s speech was given at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John’s Church in Richmond. How far have we drifted from our founding fathers (not persons). The link between religious and civil duty was so clear, yet we have allowed the SC and the liberal left to misinterpret the First Amendment.
“In 1954, Johnson was facing re-election to the Senate and was being aggressively opposed by two non-profit anti-Communist groups that were attacking Johnson’s liberal agenda. In retaliation, Johnson inserted language into the IRS code that prohibited non-profits, including churches, from endorsing or opposing candidates for political office. In effect, Senator Johnson used the power of the go-along Congress and the IRS to silence his opposition. Unfortunately, it worked. Some in Johnson’s staff claimed that Johnson never intended to go after churches, only the two “nonprofits” in Texas. Nevertheless, his sly amendment to the tax code affected every church in America, and it is a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.”
Now that we have the internet it should be easier to inform children of our country’s history, There are many good videos available.
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Could you imagine what would happen nowadays if a politician tried to give a speech from a church?!
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She can help yoou salute Old Glory in style with 4th of July
party tips and news, information and views at. The day
we ccelebrate our Independence Day from the Kingdom of Great
Britain on July 4, 1776. Most hotels will have both 110 V and 220
V outlets aand adaptors are readily available.
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