Archive for July 4, 2008

July Fourth

Posted in Current Events by John E. Pannell on July 4th, 2008 at 12:01 am

The fourth day of July is not just an ordinary day to those living in the United States of America.  It is not just an excuse to have a cook out or to try to blow off appendages by mishandling explosive devices.   July 4th marks the day that the 13 British colonies in North America declared independence from Great Britain and formed the United States of America.

On this day the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.  On this day we celebrate Independence Day.

This Declaration was largely the work of a young Virginian named Thomas Jefferson. After numerous revisions and deletions, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776. It has since been recognized as one of the greatest written documents of Western Civilization, a great expression of the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment. It has inspired numerous rebellions and revolutions in the 232 years since its adoption.

After the break a then-young US Senator, speaking on July 4th, 1957, reminds us of these immortal words.
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"The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money. "
Mark Twain