Summer Celebrations! - Fourth of July

Saturday, July 4^th

Fourth of July

What do you get when you mix revolutionary rebels, angry citizens, and thoughtful scholars with a cause; the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution, of course! Today, many Americans celebrate the anniversary of Congress’ final approval and adoption of the Declaration of Independence, predominantly penned by Charlottesville native, Thomas Jefferson. Across the country, we see an explosion of fireworks, picnics, parades, and patriotic colors as people celebrate what is commonly referred to as the Fourth of July, or Independence Day.

While many see the Fourth of July as the start of the American Revolution, many events, including the Boston Massacre (1770) and Tea Party (1774), lead to this fateful day. Thomas Jefferson penned most of the Declaration of Independence, with major contributions from a five-person committee that included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. However, John Hancock and the other signers did not actually begin signing the declaration until August 2,1776.

While July 4^th is a historic day, it was one of many integral days that lead to America’s independence from Great Britain. The United States did not actually gain independence until 6 years later, after the Revolutionary War and Cornwallis’ infamous surrender at Yorktown in 1781. It wasn’t until 1783, however, that we gained true independence, when Great Britain and the United States signed the Treaty of Paris.

It has been 250 years since the Boston Massacre, 244 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed, and 237 years since we actually gained independence and began creating our own constitution and government. Today, let’s celebrate how far we have come since then and where we have yet to go!

Ways To Celebrate:

· Consider how you can help foster equality and freedom for all people

· Enjoy a socially-distant picnic with friends and family

· Virtually visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s Charlottesville home

· Virtually visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia

· Watch Fireworks

· Wear patriotic colors

· Read more about the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and America’s long road to independence

Recommended Ebooks:

· American Soul The Contested Legacy of the Declaration of Independence by: Justin Dyer and Justin Buckley

· The Conscience of the Constitution: The Declaration of Independence and the Right to Liberty by: Timothy Sandefur

· The Counter-Revolution of 1776 – Slave Resistance and the Origins of the United States of America by: Gerald Horne