United States Declaration of Independence
In 1776 the Continental Congress formed a committee composed of some of the greatest minds of the time. The five member committee was tasked with drawing up the Declaration of Independence. Many people, and uninformed school teachers, have pushed the idea that Thomas Jefferson sat down and penned the Declaration all by himself, this is not true. The five member committee was actually composed of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman and John Adams. Robert Livingston actually never signed the document due to either his belief that it was too soon to make such a decree or simply due to the fact that he was called away from congress - this is debated.
On July 2, 1776 Richard Henry Lee motioned for the Independence measure to move forward and it did. Of the 13 Colonies, 12 voted for independence - the representative for New York abstained due to not being authorized to place such a vote. The decleration was signed and the colonies officially declared separation from Britain. We know this occurred due to a letter dated July 3, 1776 that John Adams wrote to his wife.
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.
What is the deal with July 4th?
On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress officially adopted the Deceleration of Independence, even though it had been signed and voted on two days earlier. If you want to dig even deeper then you would find out that the copy that everyone knows today was actually signed in August of 1776 and one or more of the signatures were not obtained until 1777.
Enjoy spending time with friends and family this 241st year of independence.