Carol Fisher Linn
250 Years of Independence from the Monarch Rule…
Here’s a refresher about why we celebrate July 4 with so much flourish, ballyhoo, and unapologetic hoop-la. 250 years ago, on July 4, 1776, the members of Second Continental Congress, met in Philadelphia and unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, bravely and brazenly announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain and the tyranny of King George III. Now, that was a BIG DEAL! True, some historians may remind that the critically important Constitution, signed September 17, 1787, provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States and should be celebrated; however, the Declaration, with its idealistic assertion that “all Men are created equal,” is equally or likely, even more beloved by the American people. To be honest, we haven’t reached that lofty goal yet, and we sometimes take three steps forward, two steps back, but hopefully the trajectory, for the most part, is honest, straight and gaining ground.
To be sure, that legendary signing was not without great cost to those brave persons who signed. According to the American Revolution.org : “The 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence took a significant risk in putting their names to this most famous of documents. In the eyes of the British, the Declaration was an act of treason against the Crown, and treason was punishable by death at the time. Many of these men became famous in their day and are still household names in the 21st century. However, others lived the rest of their lives in poverty after being captured by the British, or after having their property and estates destroyed during the conflict.” They knew this could happen, was likely even inevitable, yet they pushed forward and put their lives, their families and fortunes on the line for what they fervently believed in-Self-Determination. Heroes all.
Why is our country called “America?” Think back to grammar school history to an Italian explorer named Amerigo Vespucci. It was this guy who set forth the then revolutionary concept that the lands that Christopher Columbus sailed to in 1492 were part of a separate continent. The Library of Congress introduces us to a 1507 map by Martin Waldseemuller who was the first to depict this new continent with the name “America,” obviously honoring Vespucci. Before then, there was no name that collectively identified the Western Hemisphere. The earlier Spanish explorers referred to the area as the Indies believing, as did Columbus, that it was a part of eastern Asia.
So, you say, that’s old history, and you would be correct. But, as gymnasts stand on the shoulders of those below them perform feats of wonder, so too must we honor those who came before us realizing we stand on theirs. From both Adamses to Franklin and Jefferson all the way to Witherspoon, Wolcott and Wythe we would not be here today were it not for these fifty-six men stepping to the plate. Think of it, without this courageous and revolutionary proclamation 250 years ago, we might be proclaiming allegiance to King Charles, which is precisely the very reason we fought for separation and independence. To be sure, over all these years, some Presidents or their supporters have either anointed themselves as “kings” causing the press to repeatedly decry the usurping of the People’s Power. In response, as currently as July 2024, The Supreme Court ruled: “This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America.” Exactly what was fought for at our founding.
The Fates of the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence can be found at American Revolution.org, by Edward St. Germain. Take a moment and get to know them, then turn up the barbeque and enjoy the feast, the freedom to assemble, and the fireworks as America looks forward to the next 250 years. Happy 250th America the Beautiful!
Best places to see fireworks in Cattaraugus County: Thursday, July 3, Ellicottville Distillery 10pm. Friday, July 4, Bradner Stadium Olean, approximately 9:45pm. Saturday, July 5, Seneca Allegany Casino parking lot at dusk. Sunday, July 5, Holiday Valley Resort finale to the Summer Music Festival.
Best places to see Fireworks in Chautauqua County: Friday July 3, Russell E. Diethrick, Jr. Park Jamestown. Borello Park Silver Creek, Hideaway Bay; Saturday, July 4 Findley Lake 10pm, Dunkirk 9:30pm, Bemus Point 10pm, Bemus and Mayville are collaborating on a big show beginning at 10pm. Flares and Boats around Cassadaga Lake 9:30pm, Chautauqua Lake will Light the Lake at 10pm with 40 miles of shoreline flares. Chautauqua Institution holds its annual Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra’s Independence Day Celebration on July 4th at 8 p.m. in the Amphitheater.