4th of July History Lesson

The Declaration of Independence

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the 13 Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence from Great Britain. 

After voting, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. 

A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife, Abigail:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch 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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forever more."

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the Declaration of Independence.

In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. 

Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but another Founding Father who became President, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third President in a row who died on this memorable day. 

Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, is the only President to have been born on Independence Day.

Signing the Declaration of Independence

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

• Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
• Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. 
• Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army.
• One had two sons captured, serving in the Revolutionary War.
• Nine of the 56 fought and then died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

These men signed the Declaration of Independence and pledged their lives, fortunes, and their sacred honor. Have you ever wondered what kind of men they were?

• Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

• Eleven were merchants.

• Nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

• Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

• Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

• Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

• At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General, Cornwallis, had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

• Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

• John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children gone. 

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price each one unselfishly paid for us.

The Fourth of July has so much more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games. Remember, freedom is never free.


“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

Do you have an opinion, or a comment, you would like to share about this post? Click on the comment button.