July 4th is NOT the day the United States Declared Independence!

On July 4^th we celebrate American Independence. Yet I find it important to remember that July 4^th is NOT the day the United States declared independence from Britain.

Independence was declared on July 2^nd 1776.  In fact, John Adams wrote a letter to Abigail Adams on July 3^rd stating:

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.”

While independence was declared on July 2^nd, it was the exact language of the Declaration of Independence was ratified on July 4^th.

Even more interesting is that the Declaration itself was not signed until a month later, and took many months to get all its signatures.

History is often much more complicated than we often are taught, and it is in that wonderful complexity in that the humanity of history manifests.

Happy (slightly belated) Fourth of July!