Independence Day

 

“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.”

So wrote John Adams to his wife, Abigail, about the day of American Independence.  He thought the date would be July 2, but the resolution would not be passed until July 4.  The rest of the statement is fairly accurate!

As Americans, we should also take a little time to think about what it was like back in 1776.  This was a time of great uncertainty.  The country was divided: not everyone wanted to break away from Great Britain.  Even families were divided:  Benjamin Franklin’s son William was a Loyalist and the last colonial governor of New Jersey. After the British surrender at Yorktown, William Franklin left for England and never returned.

Even those who at least initially supported the Revolution wavered at times.  Benedict Arnold served the American cause bravely, being wounded in the process.  He lost his wife and child while serving.  Perhaps he felt he had sacrificed enough. Perhaps it was because he felt slighted, or the pain from his injuries got the best of him. Perhaps it was because his new bride was a definite Tory. For whatever reason, he gave up on the Cause and his name became a synonym for “traitor.”

The biggest take away should be that no matter what side people were on or even if they actually chose a side, once the war was won people came together to make one nation. 

Happy Independence Day, everyone.

Happy Independence Day!

Comments by Jeanne

I don't have a book review for today-- or, rather, I don't have one that seems to fit the Fourth of July, that most American of holidays.  John Adams wrote to his wife in 1776 that he believed Independence Day would be celebrated with with "Pomp And Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations" and he has certainly been proven correct. . . except that he thought the day would be July 2.  The change came about because when copies of the Declaration of Independence were circulated, the date at the top was July 4, the date on which at least some of the signing took place, instead of July 2, the date when the committee approved the wording.  Interestingly enough, both John Adam and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. Adams' last words were reported to be "Thomas Jefferson still survives." Ironically, this was the second time Adams was wrong:  Jefferson had passed away a few hours earlier.

You can read a transcription and see an image of that John Adams letter along with others here:

John Adams Letter


The Library of Congress has a treasure trove of information on American history but this is one of my favorites:    Patriotic Melodies   Here you can see historic copies of sheet music as well as hear versions of songs including  The Star Spangled Banner, Hail Columbia, God Bless America, This Land is Your Land, and many others.

That is just one small section of what the Library of Congress has to offer.  Topics range from Civil War photos to the George Washington papers to fiddle music to slave narratives.  There's even a section on Dolly Parton and her musical influences.

So have a happy and safe Independence Day and take a few minutes to celebrate our National Treasures, including the Library of Congress and Dolly. 

[Dolly Parton as Uncle Sam]. Image. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200003676. (Accessed July 04, 2016.)