This Fourth of July, Americans will celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with picnics, parades and, of course, fireworks. It's a tradition that's been in place for more than 200 years — and for more than 200 years, it's been kind of wrong.Image from Old Hollywood.
"It is the right day to celebrate the Declaration of Independence," author and historian Ray Raphael tells NPR's Guy Raz. "It is not the right day to celebrate the signing of the declaration or the right day to celebrate independence. The vote for independence was on July 2 — two days before — and the first signing of the declaration ... was not until August 2 — a month later."..
In his book Founding Myths: Stories That Hide Our Patriotic Past, Raphael explores the truth behind the stories of the making of our nation — like how America ended up lighting fireworks on the 4th and not the 2nd.
Raphael says that even the writers of the declaration expected July 2 to be the day that went down in history.
"Adams wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail, on the 3rd of July, the day after they voted for independence, saying the 2nd of July will always be remembered and will be celebrated with parades and illuminations and patriotic speeches," Raphael says. "He described the Fourth of July to the tee, but he called it the 2nd."
America ended up with the 4th because that's the day the Declaration of Independence was sent out to the states to be read. The document was dated July 4, so that's the day they celebrated.
Reposted from 2014 because this is still a "thing you wouldn't know."
Delightful image...
ReplyDeleteI spent a fair few minutes wondering why Jack Nicholson looked about 40 in 1921.
ReplyDeleteThe original image is explained here: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/the-shining-photo-identification-1.7507349
DeleteExcellent; I had not seen that information before. Thanks so much, Anonymous person.
DeleteThe 2nd of July also marks the victory on the Siege of Salvador, the last move in Brazil's Independence War and considered to be the real brazilian Independence Day for many (although it's not the official one).
ReplyDeleteWhy celebrate? The revolution was about the richest guy in America and his friends not wanting to pay taxes. Within 20 years Americans were moving to (what is now) Canada to escape high taxes and red tape. Ironic, no?
ReplyDeleteNo.
DeleteYes. There are plenty of good arguments against the American Revolution. Not "taught in school."
DeleteYikes, I had no idea that famous creepy photo from The Shining was July 4.
ReplyDeleteSee, being from a monarchy sometimes has benefits. King's Day is just on the King's (Willem-Alexander) birthday. April 27th. Easy. No debate. And yes, it moved when he became King. From his grandmom's birthday. April 30th. His mom kept it at her mom's birthday because her birthday was in winter and nobody wants a national holiday in winter.
ReplyDeleteAll very easy stuff.
Much better than the day your uncle's great great great grandfather got inaugurated (Belgium). Or that no ruler of your country ever had their birthday (Luxembourg). Or the day you got your constitution (Denmark, Norway (and I guess US?)). Or the day you lost Denmark (Sweden). Or the say some fraud did not actually find India (Spain). Or just none at all (UK).
Also, none of these kings could get away with whatever your president is doing. Because they have no power anymore. They'd be fired. Instead, they go around and cut ribbons and shut the fuck up because they have a wonderful PR job with great on-the-job housing.
" Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony."
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