July 4 is celebrated as the birthday of our nation. On that day, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. John Adams suggested July 2 as the more appropriate day. On that day Congress adopted Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for independence.
Either day, or both, is perfectly acceptable for a celebration. While we may have been independent as of July 2, we didn’t put our founding ideals into words until July 4. This year, I want to celebrate July 3 – the first day of our new nationhood.
July 3 wasn’t a very exciting day in 1776: Congress continued to debate and amend Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, dispatches to and from the Army were read and entered into the record, the British in New York made some landings and skirmishing continued through the area, John Adams wrote his famous letter home, contemplating the meaning of the act just completed. Just another sultry day in a difficult summer.
But today was the first full day of the Independency of these United States. On the morning of July 2 we were still the United Colonies of North America in Continental Congress assembled. On the morning of July 3 we were the United States of America, a sovereign, self-governing nation – not yet committed to all men’s equality but – “of right, . . . free and independent states.”
Happy Birthday to the United States. May Providence continue its blessings.