250 Years Ago by Cindy Regnier

In a few days Americans will celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday. I have been known to lament that our founding fathers signed the declaration in the dead of summer instead of, say, mid-January. We could skip the heat wave, watch fireworks at dark and be back home by 7:00 pm. But I digress. Have you ever wondered what really happened on July 4th 1776, besides what’s in the history books? Let’s see what we can piece together.

Jefferson

July 4th 1776 in Philadelphia was a cool morning according to Thomas Jefferson who recorded a temperature of 68 at 6:00 a.m. in his daily weather diary. Apparently, it warmed to the 80s before the day was over but still not overly hot. That was probably a good thing as in that time the men wore clothing and accessories that only added to the heat. Powdered wigs, breeches, a waistcoat (what we might call a vest,) a frock coat (worn over the shirt and waistcoat that reached down to the knees,) woolen stockings and tricorn hats (usually made of felt or fur.) Sounds hot to me.

On July 2, 1776 the Continental Congress voted for independence. John Adams, in his writings, even noted that July 2 would be remembered in the annals of American history and would be marked with fireworks and celebrations. The written Declaration of Independence was dated July 4, but many of the signers weren’t present that day. Most historians believe some of the founding fathers signed on July 4th, but then signed again along with the rest of the delegates on August 2, 1776 once the document had been engrossed on parchment. Fifty-six delegates eventually signed the document.

Rush

In an 1811 letter Benjamin Rush recounted the signing describing it as a scene of "pensive and awful silence". Rush said the delegates were called up, one after another, and then filed forward somberly to subscribe what each thought was their ensuing death warrant. He related that the "gloom of the morning" was briefly interrupted when the rotund Benjamin Harrison of Virginia said to a diminutive Elbridge Gerryof Massachusetts, at the signing table, "I shall have a great advantage over you, Mr. Gerry, when we are all hung for what we are now doing. From the size and weight of my body I shall die in a few minutes and be with the Angels, but from the lightness of your body you will dance in the air an hour or two before you are dead." According to Rush, Harrison’s remark "procured a transient smile, but it was soon succeeded by the Solemnity with which the whole business was conducted.”

John Hancock, President of the Congress, signed the document with a large, bold signature. The other delegates signed beginning at the right with the signatures arranged by states from New Hampshire to Georgia. 

 

A few delegates, including Robert R. Livingston of New York, a member of the drafting committee, never signed because, quite simply, they ran out of room.

Forty-eight of the 56 signers were born in America. Edward Rutledge (age 26) was the youngest signer, and Benjamin Franklin (age 70) was the oldest signer. By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain even though the Revolutionary War continued into 1783.

The British Government tried to dismiss the Declaration as trivial and full of flaws. They tried rebuttal but had no success with what they referred to as “grumbling Americans.” But what the Declaration immediately accomplished was recognition by friendly foreign governments, establishing trade and enabling America to withdraw further from Britain. The document was moved often and heavily protected during the Revolutionary War and wars that followed. The document is currently held in Fort Knox.

 

As time progressed, many other historic events followed on July 4th of various years. In 1817 Massachusetts declared Independence Day a holiday. In 1817 construction began of the Erie Canal. 1855 saw Walt Whitman publish Leaves of Grass. Susan B Anthony addressed Congress on July 4th in 1876. The Statue of Liberty was presented to America in 1884 and America the Beautiful was published in 1895, all on the fourth day of July.

So this year on the 250th American Independence Day, take a moment to remember the brave men who risked their lives for the free country we live in today. And even though they did sign in the hottest part of the year, I’m very grateful to them. 

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.