The Fourth of July or is it supposed to be 2 July? Maybe July 8th? Would it be more accurate to celebrate on August 2?
The Fourth of July is the mainstay holiday of the summer (At least in the US). Most of the nation has the day off. There are parades, family/friend gatherings, picnics, barbecues, and bonfires. Let's not forget the fireworks. We can not have the 4th without the fireworks. $1 Billion worth of them for just the 4th annually.
Fireworks were set off during the first organized celebration of Independence Day on July 4th, 1777. There was also a 13-cannon salute for the 13 colonies. This was done in Philadelphia and Boston. The celebrations grew dramatically after the war of 1812 when once again the US was paired against the British. But since Idaho and Washington were not states yet 41% of the consumption of potatoes did not happen until much later.
The history of our country is controversial at best. Most of which is left in the minds of those who lived it and documents stored in vaults never to be seen again. (It is definitely not in the history books.) Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in June 1776. It was voted on by the first Congress on July 2nd. Of course, there had to be edits and changes, so it wasn't finalized until July 4th. However, it wasn't publicly read until July 8th and not officially signed until August 2nd. What are we really celebrating? Clearly not freedom.
What is now a day of national unity commemorated with flags, $1.7 billion in beer, and 150 million hot dogs, was once a political holiday celebrated between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans political parties. Each had its own separate celebration. The Democratic and Republicans got along then, at least enough to throw a party.
What is most interesting is that the original version of the
Declaration of Independence contained 168 words abolishing slavery. The
original version called “slavery a cruel war against human nature itself.”
However, after much argument, who was on which side we will never know, between
July 2nd and 4th. The passages abolishing slavery were omitted
from the final document.
Neither the north nor the south
could afford it.
The south depended on slavery for the cotton plantations. The north needed tobacco and cotton to fuel their shipping industry and the slave trade from Africa. Even though most colonists at the time opposed slavery, the moral compass of the country came down to economics. Yes, they voted in the wording on the 2nd, took two days to think about it, and hit delete.
At least slaves were thought of in the declaration of independence. Women weren't even considered. The hollowness of the words “all men created equal,” would not be realized until after the war. The words did inspire generations. But they still read MEN are created equal.
Having a summer holiday was not new to anyone. It was originally celebrated as King George's birthday. (June 4th, 1738) Then as sentiments towards England changed it became a mock celebration of King George's death. For them, King George III’s taxes on the 375 million burgers consumed in one day turned people’s stomachs. At least most of the burnt food is BBQ by males.
John Adams was so adamant to have July 2 be the anniversary that he wrote to his wife saying that July 2nd would be celebrated by generations. He was so upset the holiday became July 4th, that he refused to go to speaking engagements or celebrations on that day.
“What is the Fourth of July? The Fourth of July
celebrates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the
Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration announced the
political separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great
Britain.” The
Fourth of July did not become a federal holiday until 1870 but it was not a
paid holiday until 1941. Though the Fourth of July was designated the
official holiday in 1783. All this
over the signing on a piece of paper declaring we were not going to pay
taxes to Britain
anymore.
We the people pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, we are NOT one
nation, there is no liberty and justice for all.
In England, Scotland and Wales, you
can legally have an abortion at up to 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, in line
with the Abortion Act 1967. If you live in Northern Ireland, or anywhere else
where abortion care may be restricted, you can legally travel to receive
treatment. And it is free. https://www.msichoices.org.uk/abortion-services/abortion-and-your-rights/
What is the cost of an abortion in the
US? According to the
Guttmacher Institute, the average cost for a first-trimester abortion in the US
is $650 – $750. Second-trimester abortions run an average of $1,200.
Late-term abortions can be even more expensive, at $3,000 or more. https://livingwellmedicalclinic.com/abortion-costs/
But we don’t have to pay taxes to England anymore. Happy Birthday, America.
Interesting fact:
Both John Adams and Tom Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the adaptation of the
declaration of independence. There are of course many conspiracy theories on this one.
https://www.history.com/news/july-4-fireworks-independence-day-john-adams
https://blog.aghires.com/16-facts-fourth-of-july-foods/
https://www.hot-dog.org › media › consumption-stats
https://www.usatoday.com › story › money › 2019/06/17
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Independence-Day-United-States-holiday
https://www.canstockphoto.com/hot-dog-cartoon-tailgating-and-beer-27602750.html
I didn't know that they originally were going to abolish slavery. Damn.
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