1776

Okay class, why is 1776 important?
Sit down America. I know that you know.
...
Nothing?
How about July 4th, 1776?

Well the short answer is that on July 4th the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Let's rewind a little.

In the years leading up to 1776, colonists in the 13 colonies of Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia were upset (to put it mildly) with the excessive taxation that was imposed by England while there was no opportunity for representation in British Parliament.  The issue of taxation without representation led to the establishment of the Continental Congress. The Continental Congress was composed of representatives of the 13 colonies to decide matters for the themselves.  During the Second Continental Congress in June of 1776, a committee was formed to draft a formal document outlining the colonists wish to separate from Great Britain. The men in charge of this document were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. (If you don't know who these men are- stay tuned and I'll get to them in future posts)  The document was presented to Congress and adopted on the 4th of July. However on that day it is assumed that only John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress signed the document before it was sent to the printers. Hancock's signature is large and complex and now if someone asks for your "John Hancock", they are asking for your signature. Because the drafting and signing of this document was treason, all the men who participated were under threat of death and so the names of the signers was a secret for many months. Consequently, there is dispute over exactly when the document was signed completely, but many believe it happened on August 2nd. So the fight for independence started before July 4th, 1776 and the signing of the document probably happened after July 4th, but that really doesn't matter. The 4th of July 1776 has been deemed the birth date of the United States of America.

If you want to watch a dramatized version of these events try the 1972 movie "1776" or the mini-series "John Adams"

TRIVIA: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on  July 4th 1826- exactly 50 years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence!