By Dan Cirucci | Dan Cirucci’s Blogspot
The 4th of July isn’t really America’s birthday.
Instead, today is.
That’s right: The 2nd of July is America’s actual birthday. So, America is really two days older than she says she is. How could this be?
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.
That’s when America actually declared itself separate and apart from Great Britain.
Being a sovereign nation and declaring independence are 2 different things. I believe that the real independence of being a united nation and being recognized by other foreign powers didn't take place until we won the war for independence and signed the treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.
Well actually – America’s REAL birthday isn’t until June 21, 1788 when New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify the US Constitution.
Today is the day that the Continental Congress adopted the final version of the Declaration of Independence. July 2nd was actually when the Continental Congress voted and approved declaring independence.
However it would not be until June 21, 1788 that the United States of America would actually be formed as a country. This was the date New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify the US Constitution and the required number for it to go into affect. Prior to this – the :United States of America” was a simple alliance between 13 sovereign states joining together to fight for their independence from Britain and loosely operating under the Articles of Confederation which was not even ratified until November 15, 1777.
While many people think of barbecues, picnics and the Jersey Shore on the 4th of July, it is important for people to reflect on the TRUE meaning of this holiday and know the history behind the event they are celebrating.
Here are some key documents and writings from the 18th century that EVERY American should understand but schools spend too little time teaching. It is important to reflect every 4th of July on what the founding fathers truly accomplished between 1776 and 1789. Happy 4th of July!
The Declaration of Independence – http://1.usa.gov/1qFpH8l
The Articles of Confederation – http://1.usa.gov/TU4cT1
The United States Constitution – http://1.usa.gov/THIdOP
Making the US Constitution – http://bit.ly/1t69CdE
The Bill of Rights – http://1.usa.gov/1xrSrli
The Federalist Papers – http://bit.ly/1qFqRAI
The Anti-Federalist Papers – http://bit.ly/1mfzChe
Party pooper! 🙂
7/2 is old news!