July 4
Learn Our History Today: On July 4, 1776, the United States officially declared its independence from Great Britain by approving and adopting the famous Declaration of Independence. Up until this point the thirteen British colonies located along the Atlantic Coast had been engaged in a war of rebellion against Great Britain due to unfair taxes, lack of representation in British government, and general high-handedness and mistreatment from Britain. Fighting had been raging since April 1775, and the Continental Congress, with representatives from all states, had convened to address all the pertinent political issues. Despite the fighting, many people still hoped for peaceful reconciliation with Britain. However, Congress’ efforts towards peace were all rejected by Britain’s King George III, and that began to push many towards what may have been previously unthinkable, total independence.
In June of 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia put a resolution before Congress that called for formal independence from Britain. Many were opposed to this resolution, thinking it too radical, but many were in favor, including John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Representatives from several colonies needed to receive permission from their respective states before they could vote on such a measure, and while that was happening, a committee was put together with the purpose of drafting a document declaring independence in case it was approved. The committee, which included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson among others, relied on Jefferson to do the bulk of the writing, checking in with him as time went along. In just a few weeks, the committee produced the document we currently recognize as the Declaration of Independence and placed it before Congress. Eventually, except those from New York, all the delegates had been granted permission to vote on independence, and after several rounds of voting, independence was approved unanimously on July 2.
On July 4, the Declaration of Independence itself was finalized and made official. Since its adoption, the Declaration has become a major authority on human rights, particularly the second verse: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Since the Declaration’s adoption, July 4 has been celebrated as Independence Day. It is a day of fireworks, barbecues, concerts, sporting events, picnics, and more. In addition, the history of America, its government, and its traditions are celebrated.
Also, on this day in U.S. history:
- 1776: The Liberty Bell rings for the Second Continental Congress according to popular legend.
- 1826: Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both die on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
- 1881: Booker T. Washington establishes Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
Note: Information from Learn our History — This week in History.
