The Director’s Chair

ON JULY 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved a momentous resolution introduced the month before by Richard Henry Lee: “Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

Founding Father John Adams, so moved by the power of that moment, later wrote to his wife Abigail that “the second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” Alas, Adams got most of it right, though the day we celebrate “with Pomp and Parade” is the day that that Declaration of Independence was actually signed.

In the writings of the Founders, they repeatedly talk of a nation united. Even so, Adams knew it wouldn’t be easy. In that same letter to Abigail, he added, “You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — 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 ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means.”

The country that those Founders created is still called The United States of America. Be thankful for the rights and freedoms our Founders envisioned for us, and cherish them one and all. And, 250 years later, here’s to both July 2 and July 4—Happy Independence Days.

–Bill Yoder
Executive Director