WHEN in the Course of human Events,
it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.

On a hot, stormy July night a group of men met in Philadelphia to debate what would become one of the most important documents in human history. Thunder crashed outside as the moderates argued that they were not ready for independence. Then John Adams spoke “with a power of thought and expression that moved us from our seats”, according to Thomas Jefferson. No record exists of what was said that night, but we have the results. Initially 9 of the 13 colonies voted for independence, with New York in support but waiting for instructions from their constituents, Delaware was split and Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted no. After a day and night of debate and negotiations the vote for independence was 12 with New York still waiting for word from home.

On July 4th the delegates approved the final version and John Hancock’s famous signature was the first of 56 to be placed on the Declaration of Independence. As he signed the document Hancock reportedly said, “We must be unanimous; there will be no pulling different ways; we must all hang together”. To which Benjamin Franklin replied, “We must all hang together. Or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

These steps were not taken lightly, and their success was not certain. At the time of the signing the invasion of Canada had failed, the British were sending 2000 troops to attack Charleston, South Carolina and 150 ships had been sighted off of New York [1].

WE, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in GENERAL CONGRESS, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, 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 dissolved; and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

These were not men of little means. When they signed and pledged their Lives, Fortunes and sacred Honor they had much to lose. Rush H. Limbaugh, Jr.’s essay Americans Who Risked Everything recounts what happened to the 56 signers:

Even before the list was published, the British marked down every member of Congress suspected of having put his name to treason. All of them became the objects of vicious manhunts. Some were taken. Some, like Jefferson, had narrow escapes. All who had property or families near British strongholds suffered.

July 4th is the day we celebrate, but Independence is what we are celebrating. It seems to me that all of the advertisers have forgotten the reasons behind all the parades and fireworks. The meaning is further obscured by the “Happy 4th of July” greeting, which to me is just as insidious as “Happy Holidays” replacing “Merry Christmas”. Instead why don’t you respond with “Happy Independence Day”, reminding yourself and others just what it is that we are celebrating. Remember that this isn’t just another day of the month, day off from work or paid holiday. This is the foundation of freedom that we are celebrating today.

Is there any doubt that without the United States of America we would have lost two world wars and millions of people would still be under the oppressive control of communist and fascist dictators? Is there any doubt that the world, that humankind, that you as an individual are better off because those brave men stood up and declared to the world – “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!”

So go out there and have a happy Independence Day. Remember those who fought, died and lost everything so that we may live in the freest nation that this world has seen. And while you’re at it, go out there make some noise of your own.

References: [1] Liberty! : The American Revolution