Independence Day Readings


What do you do on Independence Day? BBQ? Parade? Fireworks? The Continental Congress passed the resolution to declare independence on July 2, 1776, and accepted and signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4. On July 3, the day after they signed the resolution to be independent,  John Adams wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail Adams, saying, 

Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was de­bated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony 'that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States may rightfully do.' You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the Causes, which have impell’d Us to this mighty Revolution, and the Reasons which will justify it, in the Sight of God and Man. 

In another letter to Abigail on the same day, John Adams wrote, 

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. 

Today's Americans do celebrate Independence Day in the way that John Adams imagined, just on a different date. 

If you do not like festival and want to enjoy some quiet time alone in memory of this special day and this pivotal event, I can recommend some books to enhance our understanding of the meaning of this day.

Pauline Maier's American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence is a must read for anyone who wants to know how the Declaration was drafted, how it was remembered, and what its impacts are.
Holger Hoock's Scars of Independence, on the other hand, provides an account reminding us the independence was not achieved by a piece of paper, but by violence and bleeding. Many Patriots suffered in the war and even sacrificed their lives for the American cause. Many Loyalists lost their lives, liberty, land, and property because they chose to remain loyal to the British Crown as they had always done in their whole lives. There is no winner in the war, even for those who have won the battles.
If you want to read something original, or find out for yourselves what were the ideas that led to the Declaration, you can read The American Revolution: Writings from the Pamphlet Debate 1773-1776, edited by Gordon Wood.



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