The 233rd birthday, but 234th anniversary of Independence.
Actually, Congress had voted for Independence on July 2nd, but July 4th was the actual signing date. Dreadfully hot in Philadephia. Washington himself read the declaration to his troups as soon as the courier arrived with the news. The revolution had already been going on for over a year by that time, having started on April 19, 1775, in Lexington, MA. In fact, the year-long Siege of Boston (an American victory -- the Americans were doing the sieging) was already over and the battle of New York was beginning (a British total rout of the Americans; the British began landing troops on Staten Island on July 3, reaching 32,000 in number by August.)
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Happy 12th, Malia Obama. Born on the 4th of July.
I just realized how much I really don't know about the fourth of July, and how and why in exists at all...
ReplyDeleteReally, Jeff? I think you would find it interesting to read about it sometime. I did, anyhow. It's amazing all the little things that went on behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteCelebrate the 4th of July - we do! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you're enjoying a day of recovery today.
ReplyDeleteI think you celebrate it differently though, Adullamite.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing to recover from. I got a bit under the weather from all the fireworks smoke wafting in my window is all.