Independence Day
On April 19, 1775, during the Battles of Lexington and Concord (Mass.), the first shots were fired between colonists and British troops, starting the American Revolution. After these first military conflicts, the tension between Britain and her American colonists continued to mount.
Finally, on July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress (held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia) voted for independence from Britain. Two days later, on July 4, Congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
Read through the text of the declaration in the PDF version below:
Finally, on July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress (held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia) voted for independence from Britain. Two days later, on July 4, Congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
Read through the text of the declaration in the PDF version below:
"Declaration of the Causes"
The Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775 and shortly afterwards, on July 6, 1775, the Continental Congress sent a resolution to the British Crown the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms . The resolution was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 6, 1775. Written by Thomas Jefferson and revised by John Dickinson, the Declaration explained why the Thirteen Colonies had taken up arms in what had become the American Revolutionary War. It wasn't until a year later, on July 4th, 1776, that the Declaration of Independence was written.
Did You Know?
The Congress had voted in favor of independence from Great Britain on July 2 but did not actually complete the process of revising the Declaration of Independence, originally drafted by Thomas Jefferson in consultation with fellow committee members John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and William Livingston, until two days later (July 4th). However, it wasn’t until August 2, 1776, that the Declaration was officially signed. John Hancock, president of the Congress, was the first of 56 delegates who signed this enlarged version, writing in big, bold letters.
The Independence Day celebration was initially modeled on that of the king’s birthday, which had been marked annually by bell ringing, bonfires, solemn processions, and oratory. The ritual of toasting the king and other patriot-heroes—or of criticizing them—became an informal kind of political speech, further formalized in the mid-18th century when the toasts were given at taverns and banquets began to be reprinted in newspapers.
In the early stages of the revolutionary movement in the colonies during the 1760s and early ’70s, patriots used such celebrations to proclaim their resistance to Parliament’s legislation while lauding King George III as the real defender of English liberties. However, the marking of the first days of independence during the summer of 1776 actually took the form in many towns of a mock funeral for the king, whose “death” symbolized the end of monarchy and tyranny and the rebirth of liberty.
The Independence Day celebration was initially modeled on that of the king’s birthday, which had been marked annually by bell ringing, bonfires, solemn processions, and oratory. The ritual of toasting the king and other patriot-heroes—or of criticizing them—became an informal kind of political speech, further formalized in the mid-18th century when the toasts were given at taverns and banquets began to be reprinted in newspapers.
In the early stages of the revolutionary movement in the colonies during the 1760s and early ’70s, patriots used such celebrations to proclaim their resistance to Parliament’s legislation while lauding King George III as the real defender of English liberties. However, the marking of the first days of independence during the summer of 1776 actually took the form in many towns of a mock funeral for the king, whose “death” symbolized the end of monarchy and tyranny and the rebirth of liberty.
Florida Historical "Tidbit" of Interest: American Revolution
Both West and East Florida remained loyal to the British crown during the American Revolution, and served as havens for Tories fleeing from the Thirteen Colonies. Spain invaded West Florida and captured Pensacola in 1781, and after the war Britain ceded both Floridas to Spain. however, the lack of defined boundaries led to a series of border disputes between Spanish West Florida and the fledgling United States known as the West Florida Controversy.
Because of disagreements with the Spanish government, American and English settlers between the Mississippi and Perdido rivers declared that area as the independent Republic of West Florida in 1810. No part of that short-lived republic lay within the borders of the modern U.S. state of Florida; rather, it comprised the Florida parishes of today's Louisiana. Within months it was annexed by the United States, which claimed the region as part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. In 1819, the United States negotiated the purchase of the remainder of West Florida and all of East Florida in the Adams–Onís Treaty, and in 1822 both were merged into the Florida Territory.
Because of disagreements with the Spanish government, American and English settlers between the Mississippi and Perdido rivers declared that area as the independent Republic of West Florida in 1810. No part of that short-lived republic lay within the borders of the modern U.S. state of Florida; rather, it comprised the Florida parishes of today's Louisiana. Within months it was annexed by the United States, which claimed the region as part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. In 1819, the United States negotiated the purchase of the remainder of West Florida and all of East Florida in the Adams–Onís Treaty, and in 1822 both were merged into the Florida Territory.
Patriotic Tributes
Declaration of Independence
Ragged Old Flag
They Were There
This Land Is Our Land
America: Why I Love Her
Epilogue by John Wayne
GlenLakes July 4th 2023
A visit back in time to July 2023 at the GlenLakes 4th of July fireworks celebration held at the clubhouse, and a special moment of our friend lost, Sandy Millington, and her signature laugh. May she look down upon us this 4th of July knowing we all miss her dearly.
July 4th Celebration Videos
2022...
2023...
Nice patriotic display in the big apple -- last year (2023)
Though this video is 13 years old, it is as good today as it was in 2010. Enjoy...
GLVFA Reflects
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.
-- Thomas Jefferson, 2nd paragraph, Declaration of Independence, 1776
Fourth of July celebration -- our GLVFA members, family, and friends will enjoy hotdogs, burgers, apple pie, barbecue, fireworks or bonfires -- these are the American icons of this special day, of celebration and festivities, but most importantly that of being an American. In reflection of our country's 248th birthday, and the birth of our democracy, we thank all our veterans (and the families that have supported them), who have fought those who have attempted to undermine our democracy. Our brave men and woman who have served in our military past and present have enabled all Americans to be able to pursue their lives, their liberties, and ultimately their pursuit of happiness.
-- Thomas Jefferson, 2nd paragraph, Declaration of Independence, 1776
Fourth of July celebration -- our GLVFA members, family, and friends will enjoy hotdogs, burgers, apple pie, barbecue, fireworks or bonfires -- these are the American icons of this special day, of celebration and festivities, but most importantly that of being an American. In reflection of our country's 248th birthday, and the birth of our democracy, we thank all our veterans (and the families that have supported them), who have fought those who have attempted to undermine our democracy. Our brave men and woman who have served in our military past and present have enabled all Americans to be able to pursue their lives, their liberties, and ultimately their pursuit of happiness.