July 04, 2006
Fourth of July 2006
Today is Independence Day. On this day in 1776, fifty-six courageous patriots affixed their names to Thomas Jefferson's bold Declaration of Independence, an obviously treasonous document under British colonial rule. We still owe them a debt of thanks.
John Adams was wary, but hopeful, in letters written to his wife Abigail after the decision was taken on July 2nd.
I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory; I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not.
Everyone should read the full text of the Declaration at least once per year; there's no better day than today. Note, among other things, the numerous references to God.
PBS has a rich website to accompany its A Capitol Fourth program, broadcast live tonight from Washington, D.C. Included are remarks from several American Presidents, among them Franklin D. Roosevelt in the dark days of 1942:
"For 166 years this Fourth Day of July has been a symbol to the people of our country of the democratic freedom which our citizens claim as their precious birthright. On this grim anniversary its meaning has spread over the entire globe--focusing the attention of the world upon the modern freedoms for which all the United Nations are now engaged in deadly war."On the desert sands of Africa, along the thousands of miles of battle lines in Russia, in New Zealand and Australia, and the islands of the Pacific, in war-torn China and all over the seven seas, free men are fighting desperately--and dying--to preserve the liberties and the decencies of modern civilization. And in the overrun and occupied nations of the world, this day is filled with added significance, coming at a time when freedom and religion have been attacked and trampled upon by tyrannies unequaled in human history.
"Never since it first was created in Philadelphia, has this anniversary come in times so dangerous to everything for which it stands. We celebrate it this year, not in the fireworks of make-believe but in the death-dealing reality of tanks and planes and guns and ships. We celebrate it also by running without interruption the assembly lines which turn out these weapons to be shipped to all the embattled points of the globe. Not to waste one hour, not to stop one shot, not to hold back one blow--that is the way to mark our great national holiday in this year of 1942.
"To the weary, hungry, unequipped Army of the American Revolution, the Fourth of July was a tonic of hope and inspiration. So is it now. The tough, grim men who fight for freedom in this dark hour take heart in its message--the assurance of the right to liberty under God--for all peoples and races and groups and nations, everywhere in the world."
At the National Archives, you can learn more about the Declaration, including a Flash section that lets you see your name join those of the Signers onscreen.
The Library of Congress has, as one would expect, an in-depth collection of historical resources -- it's very well done.
For fun, there will be various celebrations in the Houston area. The biggest single event in Houston today will be Freedom over Texas, featuring Los Lonely Boys. If you don't want to brave the mosquitos, watch on KTRK-13.
Just for online fun: American Sketchbook (includes music).