Happy Birthday America! : 4 July 1776 - 2007

Most colonists didn't seek to be independent from Britain. Declaring independence was still a radical idea in May 1775. The New England settlers had been raised to revere English customs, royalty, and history. Despite their outrage at the taxes they had been subjected to, most hoped to reach a peaceful settlement with the Mother Land. In a last ditch effort Congress sent an "Olive Branch" petition to King George. Six months later Congress learned King George had again refused their offerings. In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a little book called Common Sense. The best-selling pamphlet took what the colonists were feeling and put it into words. By summertime, Congress was ready to formally declare independence.

Thomas Jefferson, age 33, one of the youngest delegates to the Second Continental Congress; was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. He produced it in just seventeen days. [ It's taken me longer to write to-do lists ] Jefferson had broad interests and a natural curiosity. He was a lawyer, politician, musician, architect, naturalist, and inventor. He spoke six languages, served as ambassador to France, our second vice president and third president of the United States. Jefferson passed away on 4 July 1826.

John Adams, the son of a farmer, became a lawyer and a member of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. He was urged into patriot activity by his infamous cousin, Samuel Adams. He later served as vice president to George Washington, and then president himself. He lived to see his son become our sixth president. Adams died on 4 July 1826, the exact day as Thomas Jefferson-and the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Kenneth C. Davis, author of best-selling book, Don't Know Much About History, reminds us the men who adopted and signed the Declaration of Independence were risking their own lives. As British citizens, they could be tried and hanged for treason. We certainly owe our fore-fathers gratitude for their bravery, and the idea of individual rights, and freedom that gave birth to this Nation.