Answers to Go with Susan Smith
Q. Is it true that the Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed on July 4?
A . No. That’s not true.
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.
Let’s pull out “Chase’s Calendar of Events,” a reference book specializing in holiday information on major and very minor holidays.
Chase’s entry begins: “July 2, 1776 is the anniversary of adoption by the Continental Congress of a resolution introduced June 7, 1776, by Richard and Henry Lee of Virginia: '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 dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.
“This resolution prepared the way for adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.”
Patriot John Adams and his wife Abigail corresponded regularly while Adams was in Philadelphia. On July 3, Adams wrote: 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.”
And what did Abigail have to say on independence? On March 31, 1776, Abigail wrote to John: "... I long to hear that you have declared an independency — and by the way, in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors.
“Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
“That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing one of Friend.
“Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the Lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity. Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals [servants] of your Sex. Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection and in imitation of the Supreme Being make use of that power only for our happiness.”
Additional sources: “Words That Built a Nation” and “My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams.”
