Independence Day

   On a recent road trip I learned many things about our dear country. I thought I knew a lot about our county’s history and how it established itself, however I was basically informed most of it was incorrect. Excuse me for believing our history books… On this wonderful day that celebrates the founding of our nation I will let you in on some of the secrets I discovered.

   First, we are not sure that Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. But it makes for a great story. Also, if you are ever in Philadelphia the house that they claim to be “The Betsy Ross House” probably is not. Across the street is a flag making shop that has been in business for centuries. The rumor is that the business purchased the property across the street from the store and established it as “The Betsy Ross House”. Smart, eh? Don’t fall for it though.

   Second, the Liberty Bell was never rung on the 4th in celebration of independence. I was informed that the tower it would have been in would not have been able to actually hold the bell due to its weight. The story is that after people learned about the Declaration, a party began and the Liberty Bell was rung until it cracked. But that is not true. The Liberty Bell cracked because it was poorly cast and likely was fully intact during the founding of our nation. Also, it was never called the Liberty Bell until much later, and in fact was actually the State House Bell.

   Lastly, if we are to properly celebrate our nation’s independence from the great country of Britain we should have been having picnics and lighting fireworks two days ago. The Second Continental Congress approved declaring independence on July 2, 1776. They first voted for this on the first of July but they did not get enough votes to approve it and it was not until the next day they there were enough votes in favor to move forward. It was on July 4th that Congress approved the revised version of the Declaration. It was on the fourth that our country’s independence became public. The Declaration of Independence is a press release that was published on July 4th 1776. John Adams to write his wife, “I am apt to believe that [July 2, 1776], will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.”

   So on this day celebrate what is important, which is not a bell or a flag or a piece of precious paper. Celebrate freedom. Celebrate what we have. Fight for what we, and others, should have.

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it”- Thomas Paine from The American Crisis

Photo credit: J.M. Photography