Fourth Of July - Some historic facts and lore

[Gator]

Happy Treason Day !

 

 

Were we the first of the Great Britain colonies to win our independence?

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Some interesting facts you may or may not know: 

Prior to signing the Declaration of Independence, various colonial militias had for over a year been waging open combat against British forces, including the siege of Boston (the battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775), eventually forcing the King's army to evacuate Boston in March 1776.

The thirteen American colonies had no formal federated government, and cooperated officially through the Continental Congress, a convention of delegates from each colony.  The First Congress met briefly in 1774, and  represented 12 of the 13 colonies (Georgia did not attend because of its strong loyalist feelings). 

The Second Continental Congress first convened in May 1775 and functioned through 1781 as a provisional national government with various powers such as raising armies, appointing diplomats and making treaties. 

The Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence on July 2, 1776, yet did not sign the Declaration of Independence until the 4th of July. 

The white population of the 13 colonies numbered about 2+ million in 1775.  Of these only about 40-50% were patriots.  A large percentage simply did not want to be involved in the rebellion, being pacifists or apolitical.  About 15-20 percent of the total colonial population were loyalists (or Tories).  Many Tories fought alongside the King's Army; the total number almost as large as the King's Army in the colonies.  Most Tories moved to Canada, the Caribbean Islands and elsewhere during the Revolutionary War.     

The signers mutually pledged  "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor" to uphold the Declaration of Independence.  Signing was signing one's own death warrant.    As Moby stated, the British considered the 56 signers as traitors.  "King George ordered his soldiers to find and execute them all, putting an end to the 'foolish'rebellion." http://m.leaderpub.com/2011/12/14/american-heritage-signing-the-declaration-was-dangerous/

"Of the 56 signers, nine died of wounds or hardships during the Revolutionary War. Five were captured and imprisoned — in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. All were driven from their homes or sought by British manhunts. Seventeen lost everything they owned."   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/768604/Signing-the-declaration-was-death-warrant-for-many.html

Not one signer ever retracted his pledge. 

Two of the signers (Jefferson and Adams) were later elected President of the US.  In a highly remarkable coincidence, both died on the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!

[BillyB]

Prior to signing the Declaration of Independence, various colonial militias had for over a year been waging open combat against British forces,

What were those militias back then called? Terrorists? Funny how the other side viewed the colonists and the events

British Empire should've enforced gun control to prevent the colonies from choosing their own destiny.

Today American citizens own more guns than all police forces and militaries in the world combined which includes our own.

There is a happy ending. America and the UK are best of friends now.....as long as they do as we say!

[tfcrew]

Two of the signers (Jefferson and Adams) were later elected President of the US.  In a highly remarkable coincidence, both died on the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.

James Monroe--- 5th president and Virginia delegate to the constitutional convention died on July 4th 1831.

 

 

[Gator]

James Monroe--- 5th president and Virginia delegate to the constitutional convention died on July 4th 1831.
 

Yes, but not one of the 56  signers of the the Declaration.  Only 18 at the time. 

What is Monroe famous for? 

Multiple Choice answers:

     1.  Monroe Doctrine
     2.  The capital city of Liberia was named after him in recognition of his support for relocating thousands of manumitted slaves to Africa as reparation, believing they would fare better there than in the restrictive US.
     3.  Both of the above.   

[2tallbill]

For those who would like to know why the British were sent packing

Text of The Declaration of Independence
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/

[BillyB]

Two of the signers (Jefferson and Adams) were later elected President of the US.  In a highly remarkable coincidence, both died on the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.

Adams famous last words were “Thomas Jefferson still survives.”