INDEPENDENCE DAY
4th Of July 2012

Happy 4th out there!

The 1770s was a challenging time for anyone in the American colonies who opposed the control of Great Britain.  The rebels wished independence from England's oppressive rule and risked their lives to meet these ends.

The 2nd Continental Congress agreed to sever its ties to Great Britain on July 2, 1776, the date that John Adams thought should be celebrated by future generations. The Declaration of Independence, drafted mostly by Thomas Jefferson, and edited by his colleagues in the Continental Congress, was adopted 2 days later.

Here are images relating to that era and other patriotic pictures appropriate for this commemorative holiday.  Hopefully Americans will remember that on the 4th of July we celebrate Independence Day, and not just another excuse for a BBQ.

The assembly room in the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) where members of Congress debated independence.

 Independence Hall

The Declaration Committee: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman

 Drafting the declaration: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson

The declaration committee presenting Congress with the Declaration of Independence

After a lengthy and emotional process that humid summer of 1776, Congress ratified the text of the declaration on July 4th.  Many representatives in Congress signed the declaration right away, the first being John Hancock whose large signature led to a humorous moment in Congress.

Members of Congress signing the Declaration of Independence

Members of Congress signing the Declaration of Independence - Alternate image

The Declaration of Independence showing all signatures

 The signers of the Declaration of Independence

The first flags of the new United States of America...

 

The Bennington Flag - 1776

 The Betsy Ross Circular - 1777

Betsy Ross presenting her flag to George Washington.  Although historically inaccurate, this romantic image has great historical symbolism.

Vintage images of patriotism... 

 

 

Other images of patriotism...

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

- John F. Kennedy