Happy Birthday, America

In honor of U.S. Independence Day (which I distinguish from Canada's Independence Day, July 1, because I do have a friend from Canada - hi, Sandra!), here are some bits and pieces I received in my email this morning that I thought enough of to share with you ...

Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!

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U.S. DECLARES INDEPENDENCE:
July 4, 1776 -- In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king. The declaration came 442 days after the first volleys of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.

The Declaration of Independence was largely the work of Virginian Thomas Jefferson. In justifying American independence, Jefferson drew generously from the political philosophy of John Locke, an advocate of natural rights, and from the work of other English theorists. The first section features the famous lines, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The second part presents a long list of grievances that provided the rationale for rebellion.

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to approve a Virginia motion calling for separation from Britain. The dramatic words of this resolution were added to the closing of the Declaration of Independence. Two days later, on July 4, the declaration was formally adopted by 12 colonies after minor revision. New York approved it on July 19. On August 2, the declaration was signed.
[source: This Day in History (HistoryChannel.com)]

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On This Day in History: In 1826, in one of history's notable coincidences, former Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died, 50 years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. [source: History & Quotes from ArcaMax Publishing]

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Click here for today's BC comic. It's a hoot.

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Little Bit is off with a friend to watch a 4th of July parade in a tiny town in the southern part of our county. Everyone else in my house? Still asleep. Ah, peace and quiet. I'm going to read a book.

What are you doing to celebrate today? I'm not much into fireworks, at least not live, up close and personal. I really like watching the ones on TV - the National display is great, and I enjoy the show on our local NBC affiliate. I can enjoy the lights and hoopla without the noise and the crowd.

However you celebrate today, if you celebrate today, have fun and be careful. It's good for you!

=) JB