Posted on 07/04/2015 9:27:41 AM PDT by wastedyears
Okay
My pet peeve of mine on this day is everybody I know on Facebook, including those that are Conservative (very few of them), say "Happy 4th of July."
To me, in the simple sense, 'July 4th' is merely another day on the calender: the fourth day of the month of July.
It is what happened on this day 239 years ago that I celebrate. Some very brave men drafted an article declaring their independence from the largest military power in the world in 1776. The Founders of this nation had the idea that a government should be comprised of the people, voted into office by the people, and that this government should work for the people.
I can't understand why people have started saying "Happy 4th of July." It's like we're merely celebrating a day. I don't really care anymore about my own birthday, why am I going to celebrate a day, just for being that day? I celebrate because in 1776, men declared themselves to be self-governing and free, creating the freest country in the history of such a thing existing.
And we at least have something the Scottish still don’t have.
Not actually true.
UK was the largest naval power, but had a smallish army compared to several European powers.
I like people referring to it as the 4th of July although I call it Independence Day. When someone refers to it a the 4th of July, it reminds me of the Cinco de Mayo prank that a beer company played on the Mexicans. I get a good laugh on them because they took the prank seriously.
Fate of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
Wonder how many of the current lot would sign today? (rhetorical)
Here’s an idea - when the next non-Socialist President comes in, have a resigning on the July 4, 2016 celebration. Let’s see how many would state “with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
You and me both. I posted “In England, its the 4th of July, in the USA it is Independence Day”.
It just bothers the crap out of me.
I hear you.
Happy Independence Day!
Thanks, I just posted that on my page. I am sure you don’t mind.
Happy Independence Day!
Good post! I agree 100%. I also get annoyed when I hear “Turkey Day” applied to Thanksgiving. Happy Independence Day to you!
Pants?
I guess you could wear a sign around your neck that says “Don’t talk to me”..........
Seems the tree is getting a bit stale in 2015.
Well I’m guessing it’s just short hand for Independence Day which really wasn’t since the Declaration of Independence was just a breakup letter to England. We had to fight a war with them to gain that independence. So actually September 3d. 1783 was when we really gained independence from England when the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris. But hey, who’s arguing. :) :)
If I let small things like that both me, I would be tearing my hair out, no it doesn’t bother me.
Both.....-— bother. Auto correct bothers me a little.
I always wish people a happy Independence Day.
Not at all - I got it from another site.
Happy Rebellion Day. :-)
I have wondered who wrote that piece. It is available here and there are a few more paragraphs, but the author is not stated. http://www.constitution.org/bio/fate_of_signers.htm
I wish people would just quit saying it. It's so meaningless. Started by libs, too, which tells you it's meaningless.
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