A Day That Changed The World

The world had seen nothing like it. Thirteen upstart British colonies were taking a stand against the most powerful military on the face of the planet. Of course, I am talking about the birth of the United States of America.

While we celebrate Independence Day (and that’s what we all should really call it), it is important to remember that the historical event is much more than just a date. We celebrate our American Independence on July 4th, but the actual vote for independence occurred on July 2nd. It took two days to get copies of the document created and on their way to each of the 13 colonies.

Today, we celebrate “The 4th of July” because marketers and those who would like to move our memories away from the seriousness with which our Founders and Framers contemplated the act of separating from Britain want it to be about barbeques, beaches, beer, and fireworks. That is what marketers and those who view the United States through a diminished lens would love for it to be all about.

But it’s not.

John Adams and Benjamin Franklin knew full well that what Thomas Jefferson penned in the Declaration of Independence was much more than a declaration to be served to a despotic King George III. Instead, as they read the rough draft they understood that what was being created was a declaration of rights that would change the world for all time:

Far from being a weekend for gathering food, libation, and fireworks, each of the men who voted (and abstained) from voting to sever the ties with England knew the full weight of what they were doing; they knew that it would come at a great loss of life if, in fact, they won the conflict at all.

To be sure, there was no certain outcome. Truthfully, most thought it was a fool’s errand. Yet the idea of a free people creating a country of self-governance based on laws – and not men, as Adams so triumphantly asserted in his argument to support the vote for independence – and representation was such a spectacular goal that they and those who took up arms to fight the American Revolutionary War pledged the blood, treasure, and “sacred honor” to pursue that dream.

Interesting to understand through it all is that the idea of abolition was included in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence and all but a scant few of the delegates shied away from abolition at that very moment. Not soon after, the fledgling United States would engage in its bloodiest conflict – the US Civil War – to become one of the first nations to abolish slavery and outlaw the slave trade.

But I digress.

Every Independence Day I rewatch as many movies and documentaries about our nation’s independence. But the one I hold in the highest regard is John Adams, from which come the above clips. The Patriot is another, and a great series Turn is yet another. John Adams is an excellent representation of what the freedom-seeking colonists of what would become the United States had to endure so that we can be free to celebrate our independence, albeit two days after we should.

So, maybe take some time from the hotdogs, hamburgers, beer, and sunshine to take a couple of hours to remind yourself of the incredible gift of freedom that brave men – and women – bequeathed to each and every one of us. Maybe we can stow the divisive bullshit politics for a bit and realize we must tend to this gift, or what they did for us will all be nothing but a waste.

“God save our American states!”

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