July 4, 1776
Philadelphia in the early morning of July 4, 1776 was a mildly cool mid-summer day. The temperature was 68 degrees. With decreasing barometric pressure and a crisp wind shift from the north to the southwest brought a slightly cloudy sky. The Second Continental Congress must have greatly appreciated the cool temperature as they gathered in the Pennsylvania State House (Now known as Independence Hall) to approve the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted several days prior by a committee of five; appointed by Congress on June 11. The committee was a power house consisting of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. However, it was Richard Henry Lee who first introduced the resolution on June 7, 1776; urging Congress to declare independence from Great Britain.
SIDEBAR: The structure of the Declaration of Independence was influenced by English philosopher John Locke, who advanced the contract theory of government. Locke argued that all "just" governments are founded on consent and are designed solely to protect people in their inherent rights of life, liberty, and property. Although some radicals (including myself) utilize this theory to justify civil disobedience whenever government infringes on any of the specified rights; the more conservative Jefferson held that resistance is justified only when a consistent course of policy shows an unmistakable design to establish tyranny. In addition, Thomas Jefferson used Natural Law, substituting "the pursuit of happiness" for "property" in the trinity of inalienable rights. This alteration was developed from the Swiss legal philosopher Emerich de Vattel, who emphasized public duty rather than personal choice. Natural Law Theory relies on diligent cultivation of civic virtue to obtain happiness.
Of course Congress quickly rejected two passages in the original document when it was first presented to them on June 28. The first revision was a reference to the English people and the second was contemptuous criticism of the slave trade. (It makes sense that they took this out because they had to convince many colonists to concede to the revolution. The majority of the militia consisted of framers.) Subsequently, from July 1-4, Congress continued debating the document and was otherwise adopted without significant change. July 2, Congress declared independence and July 4 they adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. July 19 Congress ordered the document officially inscribed and the formal signing by the 56 members of Congress commenced on Aug 2, 1776.
July 3, 1776 John Adams made an astounding prediction in a letter to his wife, Abigail:
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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.
Philadelphia in the early morning of July 4, 1776 was a mildly cool mid-summer day. The temperature was 68 degrees. With decreasing barometric pressure and a crisp wind shift from the north to the southwest brought a slightly cloudy sky. The Second Continental Congress must have greatly appreciated the cool temperature as they gathered in the Pennsylvania State House (Now known as Independence Hall) to approve the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted several days prior by a committee of five; appointed by Congress on June 11. The committee was a power house consisting of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. However, it was Richard Henry Lee who first introduced the resolution on June 7, 1776; urging Congress to declare independence from Great Britain.
SIDEBAR: The structure of the Declaration of Independence was influenced by English philosopher John Locke, who advanced the contract theory of government. Locke argued that all "just" governments are founded on consent and are designed solely to protect people in their inherent rights of life, liberty, and property. Although some radicals (including myself) utilize this theory to justify civil disobedience whenever government infringes on any of the specified rights; the more conservative Jefferson held that resistance is justified only when a consistent course of policy shows an unmistakable design to establish tyranny. In addition, Thomas Jefferson used Natural Law, substituting "the pursuit of happiness" for "property" in the trinity of inalienable rights. This alteration was developed from the Swiss legal philosopher Emerich de Vattel, who emphasized public duty rather than personal choice. Natural Law Theory relies on diligent cultivation of civic virtue to obtain happiness.
Of course Congress quickly rejected two passages in the original document when it was first presented to them on June 28. The first revision was a reference to the English people and the second was contemptuous criticism of the slave trade. (It makes sense that they took this out because they had to convince many colonists to concede to the revolution. The majority of the militia consisted of framers.) Subsequently, from July 1-4, Congress continued debating the document and was otherwise adopted without significant change. July 2, Congress declared independence and July 4 they adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. July 19 Congress ordered the document officially inscribed and the formal signing by the 56 members of Congress commenced on Aug 2, 1776.
July 3, 1776 John Adams made an astounding prediction in a letter to his wife, Abigail:
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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.
(Notice that he was only two days off considering the resolution was suggested June 7 and completed August 2)
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