July 4…by a technicality?

Happy 4th of July! May your celebrations be robust and vibrant, always mindful of the sacrifices made by the fathers of this nation to get together and do things like this:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/754116323118315

But it turns out, as I learned yesterday in an email from Connor Boyack, author of the wonderful Tuttle Twins children’s books, that July 2nd 1776 is actually the day the American politicians agreed in a resolution to declare independence from Great Britain. As Connor writes:

“Did you know that Independence Day is actually July 2? 

That’s the date when the Continental Congress declared its freedom from Great Britain in 1776, by approving a resolution submitted by delegate Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.

That resolution stated, “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.”

John Adams thought July 2 would be marked as a national holiday for generations to come. He wrote:

“[Independence Day] will be the most memorable Epoch 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 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.”

So why do we celebrate on July 4?

Well, once they had voted for independence, Congress needed a document explaining their decision to the public. There was a proposal in place from Jefferson and others, but it took a couple days for Congress to agree on some edits.

On July 4, the formal Declaration of Independence was approved and sent to the printer.”

So there you have it. I guess the folks in the video I shared at the top of this email were simply following the wishes of POTUS2. You could do worse in finding inspiration for your celebrations 😉

Speaking of the Tuttle Twins, I purchased the entire set to read for my son Gabriel a few years back, and we’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of them. They’re written for children, in tones and storylines children can follow and relate to, but I myself have learned a ton reading the books to him.

The books teach a lot of the basic principles of freedom such as sound money, capitalism (the good and crony varieties), the golden rule (the principle, not the boat I chronicled on the podcast awhile back), and much more.

I liked the books so much, I became an affiliate seller for them.

If you have kids or grandkids, and are concerned about the quality of the materials being taught in the public schools, then it’s worth the small investment in the book series to teach the kiddos some sound education. They even have a magazine subscription, so it’s an impressive operation.

Give the Tuttle Twins books a look while you’re taking a break from your fireworks celebrations. I think you’ll like what you see as I did: https://jamesdnewcomb.com/tuttletwins