Interesting Facts about America’s Birth Certificate

Everybody thinks they know the story of America’s Birthday, July 4th.

In reality, the Declaration of Independence, which gave birth to the nation, was only published on the fourth. The facts behind the declaration may surprise you.

John Adams wrote, “People in every Colony of the 13, have now adopted it, as their own act, the Second Day of July 1776, will be the most remembered Epocha, in the history of America.”

So July 2nd is Independence Day? Technically, this is true!

The Continental Congress voted on the 2nd to approve an earlier motion, which called for the colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain. The motion was made by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee on June 7, 1776.

There was strong debate, and the vote was postponed. A committee of five, which included Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were appointed to draft a document that would support and explain the postponed motion.

Jefferson wrote the first draft in June of 1776. It explained Lee’s motion thusly: “Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally absolved.”

After revisions by the committee, Jefferson’s revised draft was submitted and read on June 28th. The motion was adopted on July 2nd with New York abstaining. Revisions were proposed and drafted during the 3rd and 4th of July.

What we know as the Declaration of Independence was formally submitted to Congress late in the day of July 4, 1776, nine voted in favor, two (Pa. & SC voted no, Delaware was undecided, and New York abstained). It wasn’t a slam dunk!

It was sent to a Philadelphia printer, John Dunlap, for publication. It was Dunlap that included the words, “In Congress, July 4, 1776” in large type at the top of his first printed version, and so July 4th became the date that American’s first saw and heard the document being read and it is the date we celebrate 244 years later.
It wasn’t signed until August 2, 1776, and the British didn’t surrender until October 19, 1781. On the 50th anniversary of its printing, July 4, 1826, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died hours apart.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Be Safe, Stay Healthy, Celebrate Responsibly.