Imagine, if you can, what it might have been like to wake up in this country on July 3, 1776.
The colonies had been at war with the Crown for more than a year.
Colonists were living in turmoil, chafing under English rule.
Dozens of battles had already taken place up and down the Eastern seaboard in what would become known as The American Revolutionary War.
Great Britain made the first formal move in April 1775, raiding Concord, Mass., before being driven back to Boston. A month later, with that city under siege, the British fled.
The patriots then went on the attack, invading and winning Fort Ticonderoga, followed by successful seizure of the British ship Diana in Boston Harbor and then HM schooner Margaretta in Machias Bay.
Battles continued each month through 1775 and into 1776, including an aggressive move by patriots in September to take Quebec that was quashed two months later by the British.
As the calendar moved toward July, the Continental Congress reached consensus to formalize the revolution, and issued a proclamation on July 2, 1776 that “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they be 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 dissolved.”
It was a more boldly worded document than the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms issued the prior July, which explained the colonies were prepared to battle Britain in “defence of the Freedom that is our Birthright,” and served as a precursor to the July 4, 1776 full-on Declaration of Independence.
Now, 240 years later, as we righteously celebrate the Fourth of July, we should also reflect on the extreme fortitude necessary to declare independence and the suffering endured in that hard-fought war.
And, enjoy the fireworks. John Adams thought them appropriate.
He also thought — and told his wife so — that through the gloom of revolution he could see “rays of ravishing light and glory.”
The end, he wrote, “is more than worth all the means.”
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Excerpted from a letter written by John Adams to his wife, Abigail Adams
3 July 1776
Massachusetts Historical Society
Had a Declaration of Independency been made seven Months ago, it would have been attended with many great and glorious Effects …
But on the other Hand, the Delay of this Declaration to this Time, has many great Advantages attending it. — The Hopes of Reconciliation, which were fondly entertained by Multitudes of honest and well meaning tho weak and mistaken People, have been gradually and at last totally extinguished. — Time has been given for the whole People, maturely to consider the great Question of Independence and to ripen their judgments, dissipate their Fears, and allure their Hopes, by discussing it in News Papers and Pamphletts, by debating it, in Assemblies, Conventions, Committees of Safety and Inspection, in Town and County Meetings, as well as in private Conversations, so that the whole People in every Colony of the 13, have now adopted it, as their own Act. — This will cement the Union, and avoid those Heats and perhaps Convulsions which might have been occasioned, by such a Declaration Six Months ago.
But the Day is past. 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 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.
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