Is The 4th of July Really Our Birthday?

As we celebrate our 238th birthday of a nation, is today really the day we should be celebrating? In fact independence was declared on July 2, 1776. John Adams declared, "the most memorable epocha in the history of America."

It was not until July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration. It was not signed until August 2, 1776.

There are many misconceptions about the Declaration of Independence, and also many facts can be found on this great website entitled ConstitutionFacts.com. The particular page I got this from can be accessed by clicking here. If that does not work, click on this URL: http://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-declaration-of-independence/fascinating-facts/

This famous painting by John Trumbull does not show the Declaration being presented to the Continental Congress, but rather to the Committee of Five who actually wrote the Declaration of Independence. They were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin and Roger Sherman.

Click on the image to make it larger:

The interesting fact about this painting is it never could have happened that way because not all members of the Congress were in Philadelphia that day. There is another fascinating site with five myths and true facts about the declaration written today in the Times Bulletin Media by Kirk Dougal. You may access it by clicking here. If that does not work, click on this URL: http://www.timesbulletin.com/Content/News/News/Article/Not-all-beliefs-about-the-Declaration-of-Independence-are-true/2/4/188663

I find it interesting how our history is changed and often times not all the facts are true. I have noticed that in a number of the posts I have made. It makes me wonder what I can believe and not believe about articles and books I read today about current and recent history.

CNN ran a six-part documentary on the sixties. It was fascinating to watch how our media was feeding us information they wanted us to know and distorting facts to meet certain peoples' expectations about many of the events that changed our world from that turbulent decade. Through it all, we can always trust Walter Cronkite at the end of the day. Or, should I say, "We thought we could trust him."

Now, when many people do not get their news from the three main networks that came to life in the 1960s, but rather through social media and The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, it is no wonder we cannot believe everything we hear, see and read.

As you go out to watch fireworks tonight, think for a minute about this post and wonder to yourself if we should be celebrating today or not as the birth of our nation.

As always, I look forward to your comments.

Later,

Mike