By Carol Fisher
Independence Day 2025; We have a year to practice saying “Happy Semiquincentennial”.
As a writer of weekly newspaper articles, always under the dreaded deadline, I “get” what the men in the Continental Congress were up against. While 33-year-old Thomas Jefferson was working for several weeks non-stop to draft our Declaration of Independence from British rule, unheard of things were popping everywhere – early in 1776 Thomas Paine issued “Common Sense,” moving many colonists toward the cause of independence. Imagine – a simple pamphlet. Paine bravely cried out against King George III and the monarchical form of government … and his written word moved colonists to action. It lit a fire with the colonists toward action while Jefferson was burning the midnight candles trying to get things finalized in Philadelphia. North Carolina and Virginia got their delegates on the bandwagon for independence and in this ‘no-pressure-Thomas-but get-it-done environment’ Jefferson penned away. Frustrated with some changes, he finally agreed to all the edits, and completed the document by July 2. Congress reconvened, voted in favor of independence, and on July 4th it was approved. The thirteen colonies had officially declared their independence from the King! They had done something that had been only dreamed of in Europe
on July 4th it was approved. On August 2, the journal of
the Continental Congress records “The declaration of independence
being engrossed and compared at the table was
signed.” John Hancock, President of the Congress, signed
first.
But how did the news get out? Two hundred unsigned Dunlap Broadsides (copies by a printer named Dunlap) were reproduced and sent throughout the colonies to be read publicly. But there was more … Congress ordered that it be “fairly engrossed on parchment.” (To “engross” is to write in a large, clear hand.) Timothy Matlack, an assistant to the Secretary of the Congress, was most likely the penman. So much for thinking it’s Jefferson’s penmanship you see on the document! On August 2, the journal of the Continental Congress records that “The declaration of independence being engrossed and compared at the table was signed.” John Hancock, President of the Congress, signed first (and rather larger if you know your history – so impressive in fact that signatures have heretofore been referred to as “John Hancock’s”). The delegates then signed by state from north to south. Some signed after August 2. Some refused. When Benjamin Franklin was asked after signing the Constitution if they had created a monarchy or a republic, Franklin replied: “A republic, if you can keep it.” He knew it would always be an uphill battle for Americans. As for George Washington, he was away with his troops so, alas, he did not sign at all. Ultimately, 56 delegates signed the Declaration.
Why tell this story? Because this Declaration of Independence that we so blithely refer to and take for granted, did not happen in a vacuum. This liberty and justice for all document happened in spite of the chaos and turmoil taking place across our land. It happened in spite of some colonists resisting independence and siding with the King. It happened as Jefferson and the Committee of Five (Adams, Sherman, Franklin, Livingston, and Jefferson) on June 11 drafted the Declaration of Independence. Congress, which had recessed, reconvened on July 1, 1776. Remember, this was being done amidst much turmoil across the land. When Washington received his copy, he gathered his troops in New York City who were there to defend the colonists from the redcoats and Hessians who were landing on Staten Island, preparing for an attack. Many were frightened – ambivalent — skeptical. Some wanted to keep the status quo because they could not face the uncertainty or the consequences. Sound familiar?
Yet, when the news broke, a sea change took place and suddenly Washington’s troops were ready, and willing to fight not only for the defense of their colonies, but NOW, for the birth of this brand-new nation. Perhaps it was because of Jeffersons inspiring words, “…that all men were created equal and endowed by their Creator with the inalienable Rights of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness…” Perhaps it was because King George had ignored/stomped on these rights … whatever, the soldiers were so moved that they ran down Broadway and tore down a large statue of King George, cut off its head and later melted down the remains for bullets to defend this newborn nation.
We Americans are an idealistic and scrappy bunch. We are raucous and rowdy at times. Noisy. Bold. We love our fireworks as much as John Adams did when he wrote to his wife predicting we will forever shoot them off in celebration. And we love our hard-fought-for rights and freedoms. Yes, today there is again uncertainly about our future but we can build on our tenacious past knowing we have at our core a stubborn belief in our True North. Like Jefferson and company, like Washington and Lincoln we will continue to stand strong and united against ANY tyranny, continuing to be on the right side of American history, upholding American values, past sacrifices and future aspirations. Happy 249th birthday, America! Indeed!