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| Silverfiddle Rant! |
The United States of America: Founded in Optimism
Should Independence Day be celebrated on a different day? History buffs like to point out the Continental Congress voted for independence from Britain on July 2nd. Some argue that July 2nd should be the day to celebrate, but I used to have a totally different date in mind.
Somewhere in my young life, can't remember when, I was shocked when I realized the United States did not gain sovereignty on July 4th 1776: That was when the war started, not when it ended in our victory (I was a poor student).
America declared its independence in 1776, but it took another five years to win freedom from the British. That day came on October 19, 1781, when the British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered his troops in Yorktown, Virginia. (America's Library)
That we recognize the declaration rather than the eventual achievement says much about our national character: We are an optimistic people. God grants all humans the gift of liberty. It does not flow from a king or government. We declared ourselves free on July 4th 1776, and that is what we celebrate.
Happy Independence Day!
Excellent.
ReplyDeleteFreedom is never free and there accompanies this freedom an obligation to help maintain it. Most Americans understand this, even if they don’t give it much thought from one day to the next. Most Americans are grateful for the sacrifices of our forefathers, even if there are only a few days set aside each year to think about the risks taken and the losses suffered. Of course, all we ever hear about are the distractors ... but we can thank the poisonous media for that. So, it is good that we do have particularly worthwhile celebrations and I hope these continue long into the future. Happy Independence Day, Silverfiddle and to all those who comment here.
Another day? Nah... As I am sure you're aware, Mexico follows the same practice, celebrating their independence on the day of Hidalgo's grito, September 16.
ReplyDeleteDid either of our countries achieve independence on those exact days? Nope, but the die was cast and history was set in motion.
At least those are the stories.
I lean towards April 18th 1775.
ReplyDeletehttps://christianheritagefellowship.com/the-pastor-who-fired-the-shot-heard-around-the-world/#NIGHTOFAPRIL181775.BK
I should have been more clear.
DeleteThis date is when the war started.
Not July 4th or 2nd.
But July 4th is Independence Day (the day we formalized it), not Constitution Day or Start of War day.
We still should have invaded England and made them stop talking funny.
ReplyDeleteThe accents belong on the last syllables, NOT the first!
DeleteIt's garAGE, NOT GArage!
DeleteIt's listed in the Declaration as one of the offenses.
DeleteI take special enjoyment from stretching out "aluminium" to about seven syllables whenever I know an American is in earshot.
DeleteI actu-a-lly do that myself.
DeleteWe can't change the date of observation......just think of the cost in changing all of the retail advertising campaigns.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what criteria prompted the Founders to rebel....and what society willingly, and sheepishly, grovels to today.
We certainly deserve what liberties that we do enjoy......but only because they are scant.
I'd saved some British beer cans to shoot at tomorrow, just for funnsies.
I love Glenn Loury. I listen to the Glenn Show podcast religiously.
ReplyDeleteI simply do not understand this mania to retroactively change the history of a nation which was founded almost 250 years ago. We have celebrated July 4th for more than 200 years. Why would we want to change that?
ReplyDeleteWe wouldn't, they would.
DeleteTo detach us from our heritage.
Do you burn incense?
ReplyDelete...only on Sundays.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, America.
ReplyDeleteI think he's responding to the person or bot who butchered your original comment. But that's not to say that he doesn't find you utterly inane also ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm lost....
ReplyDeleteLol. I was gratuitously insulting the bot. How could anyone think that was aimed at jayjawk?
ReplyDelete