△ MENU/TOP △

Holtz Communications + Technology

Shel Holtz
Communicating at the Intersection of Business and Technology
SearchClose Icon

Why we celebrate

The United States Continental Congress passed the ordinance of independence on July 2, 1776. Founding father John Adams figured that would be the date everyone remembered, not July 4, the date the document, the Declaration of Independence, was formally adopted. (It wasn’t signed until August 2.) But missing the date by two days didn’t make Adams’ foresight any less clear:

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. 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. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

Prescient, wasn’t he?

07/03/06 | 9 Comments | Why we celebrate

Comments
  • 1.Amen, and well quoted!

    Is that from McCulloughs's John Adams?

    Happy 4th, my friend.

    Allan Jenkins | July 2006 | Copenhagen, Denmark

  • 2.Happy 4th to you, too, Allan.

    This was contained iin a letter Adams wrote to his wife, Abagail, on July 3, the day after the Second Continental Congress passed the ordinance. (Adams always found the vote to be independent more significant than the document.) I seem to recall this passage was quoted in McCullough's excellent book. By the way, McCullough's more recent companion book, "1776," is outstanding.

    Shel Holtz | July 2006 | Concord, CA

  • 3.Shel, reading the thoughts of our country's founding fathers is very inspirational.

    "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."

    The thing that I'm thinking about today is that these people (husbands, wives, and in some cases, children), were doing more than simply communicating ideas.

    They were passionate to the point of risking their fortunes and their lives. Freedom wasn't free then, and it isn't free now--but I usually take it for granted.

    Politics aside, it would be good to take a minute to think about the people who are putting their lives on the line today. That is more valuable than focusing on getting the best possible seat for fireworks tonight.

    And while most of us won't be doing "solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty," I'm lifting up a few prayers for our troops and government leaders.

    Happy birthday, United States of America.

    Tom Keefe | July 2006 | Gurnee, IL

  • 4.Thanks for your thoughts, Tom. Since my son, Ben, spent a year in Iraq (the first year of the conflict) with the 101st Airborne Division, our thoughts are rarely far from the troops in harm's way, and I'm happy that the nation, by and large, has been able to separate its sentiments about the war from the soldiers who enlist to defind our country and go where they're told.

    The Revolutionary War and the post-revolutionary period when the basis for the United States was established is a personal area of interest (I'm about half through Ron Chernow's outstanding biography of Alexander Hamilton right now). It is worthwhile to me, among other reasons, to remember the principles upon which this nation were established and what the founders risked to make their vision a reality.

    Shel Holtz | July 2006 | Concord, CA

  • 5.That is a very interesting fact, but that makes no difference. July fourth is the day we have chosen to celebrate our independence. It easily compares to when all of us have chosen to celebrate Christmas. We don't really know when Jesus was born, but we just pick a day at random and stick with it. The same goes with Easter, etc. What do you think about that?

    Patrick | July 2006 | Auburn, AL, USA

  • 6.Patrick, I think...well, of course. The point isn't that Adams got the wrong day -- that is just an interesting fact -- it's that he foresaw exactly how we'd celebrate it!

    Shel Holtz | July 2006 | Concord, CA

  • 7.What beautifully written and inspiring words. Thank you so much for sharing them with us, Shel. It makes me proud to be an American.

    Happy belated 4th!

    Marie Williams | July 2006

  • 8.Shel,

    Thanks for posting this. Is it just me, or in this age of Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Brad&Angela;, People Magazine and the ridiculous cult-of-personality, or are people like Adams and words like his more rare than ever? Point me to one politician or one business leader today that has this kind of clarity of vision. It saddens me a bit.

    BTW, I'm related to John Adams. His daughter, Rebecca, married one of my ancestors, John Risley. I can only hope that one tiny sliver of his wisdom has been passed-down through the generations to me.

    Jeff Risley | July 2006

  • 9.What an honor, Jeff, to know you have Adams' blood flowing through your veins! If you haven't read the McCullough biography, I highly recommend it. In addition to his role as one of the most influential philosophical leaders of the Revolution, his relationship with his wife, Abigail, is romantic beyond anything you could read in fiction.

    Shel Holtz | July 2006 | Concord, CA

Comment Form

« Back