Fourth of July: Celebrate!

Americans began celebrating Independence Day to honor the July 4, 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence by the 2nd Continental Congress, which included representatives from all 13 American colonies.

The American Revolution began not as a fight for complete independence, but rather for colonial representation within the British government and increased autonomy from the empire. However, after colonists’ pleas for fairness fell on deaf ears and physical demonstrations were met with brute force, the Founding Fathers recognized an increasing need for complete separation from British rule. 

The war officially began with the shot heard around the world in April of 1775, and the motion for complete independence was introduced by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee on June 7th of the following year. A five-man committee was appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence. John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert Livingston all worked with Thomas Jefferson to create the document which would serve to publicly sever ties with Britain. 

This document was presented to Congress on June 28th, and the official vote to break from the crown took place on July 2, 1776. Two days later the draft was completed, and the Declaration of Independence was signed by each member of the 2nd Continental Congress. Continue reading from Military Connection