"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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."
10 comments:
Huzzah, Huzzah, Huzzah!
Second or fourth? I just looked that up and it seems the whole declaring independence thing was done on the second - which makes it seem odd that your independence day is the fourth.
Still, though, the image of the courageous founding fathers being driven from congress by an invasion of horseflies is hilariously ironic. Perhaps that alone merits a holiday!
Thanks for the comment, Johann!
"Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! For a free America!"
AdamS, I think the whole thing is about the 2nd being the day the Declaration of Independence was submitted, and the 4th was the day they wrote the final draft and signed.
I'll have to look up the horseflies thing, because I honestly don't have a clue as to what you're talking about!
LOL! Thanks for the comment!
http://kiser.newsvine.com/_news/2007/06/25/801253-july-2nd-the-real-independence-day-and-how-july-4th-should-actually-be-national-horsefly-day
[QUOTE]
2 days later on July 4th only a few things happened, one actually, being quite funny. The real reason Congress met on July 4th was to approve the wording of the declaration. Some didn't like the way a sentence was structured others the way the name of the new country was used. So, none the less, they were whining over things of little importance. (Kind of like what our Congress does now.) This heated debated seemed to continue to no end, that is, until a swarm of horseflies from a nearby farm came flying through the windows that were open due to the warm weather. While swatting at the flies, one delegate rose and said that Jefferson's declaration was suitable to him, which many second, causing a motion of approval that was speedily approved of. Soon afterward the founding fathers ran out of the Hall swatting at the horseflies.
So there you go, just a little history tidbit for you. So maybe we should celebrate Independence day on July 2nd, and celebrate the Horsefly on July 4th that helped keep one of the greatest documents in history the way it was and not a load of political blather.
[END QUOTE]
The might of the Crown could not shake the resolve of the founding fathers, but horseflies could!
Haha, LOLing. I heard that some delegates didn't sign till the 8th. So, we should have a whole week off, right? LOL
Oh my goodness!
I'm gonna have to wait for Snopes on that one!
How come I never heard of this?
What exactly does "huzzah" mean? Is it being used here in a derogatory way? I honestly can't quite tell.
It started out as a British war cry during the mid-1700's, but, like a few other British military customs, it was eventually adopted by the Continentals.
It is something yelled before a charge to get your blood pumping and your adrenaline flowing before meeting your enemy face to face on the field of mortal combat.
I think the custom was for your battalion to chant it three times, the third time drawing it out as you charge.
The context in which we have used it here is celebratory, not derogatory.
It's the old way of saying hurrah.
Interesting info., Son3!
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