Independence Day
INDEPENDENCE DAY
1. The colonists of the ‘New World’ believed they were entitled as British citizens to the rights established by the Magna Carta (1215) and the British Bill of Rights (1689). As these rights were removed, the colonists’ non-violent appeals to justice were dismissed. Militias began to form to confront British authority.
2. On July 2nd 1776, the Continental Congress voted for independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. An explanatory ‘Declaration of Independence’ was prepared and approved on the “Fourth of July.”
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. 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 forever more.
~ John Adams in a letter to his wife on July 3rd 1776
3. Celebration of ‘Independence Day’ on July 4th began immediately (even as the war raged on) in much the same form as it takes today (as prescribed by Adams above). The 4th of July became an official federal holiday in 1870.
4. From an OT perspective, July 4th is parallel to the story of the Exodus for the Jewish people (Ex. 6:6). From a NT point of view, it is parallel to the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus (Luke 4:18, Gal. 5:1-13, 1 Peter 2:16)
1. The colonists of the ‘New World’ believed they were entitled as British citizens to the rights established by the Magna Carta (1215) and the British Bill of Rights (1689). As these rights were removed, the colonists’ non-violent appeals to justice were dismissed. Militias began to form to confront British authority.
2. On July 2nd 1776, the Continental Congress voted for independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. An explanatory ‘Declaration of Independence’ was prepared and approved on the “Fourth of July.”
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. 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 forever more.
~ John Adams in a letter to his wife on July 3rd 1776
3. Celebration of ‘Independence Day’ on July 4th began immediately (even as the war raged on) in much the same form as it takes today (as prescribed by Adams above). The 4th of July became an official federal holiday in 1870.
4. From an OT perspective, July 4th is parallel to the story of the Exodus for the Jewish people (Ex. 6:6). From a NT point of view, it is parallel to the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus (Luke 4:18, Gal. 5:1-13, 1 Peter 2:16)
posted by matthew at 10:56 AM
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