Democracy was born on July 4, 1776 when 
we claimed our independence from Britain rule. 
It was also the beginning of the American Revolution.
The original resolution was introduced by 
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia on June 7, 1776, 
and called for the Continental Congress to 
declare the United States free from British rule. 
A few days later a committee headed by 
Thomas Jefferson was appointed to prepare an 
appropriate writing for the occasion. 
This process took far longer than just a single day.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted by 
Congress on July 4th but the resolution that led to the 
writing was actually approved two days earlier. 
Some delegates to the Congress were not even 
present, like New York for example, 
did not vote on the resolution until July 9th. 
One signer did not actually sign the Declaration 
until 1781. That was, Thomas McKean.

July 4th is still celebrated on its proper calendar day. 
It was the day singled out to mark the event of the 
United States establishing itself as a nation. 
Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate this 
freedom and independence with bbqs, picnics, 
and family gatherings.



~America the Beautiful~ 
Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward 
 
O beautiful for spacious skies, 
For amber waves of grain, 
For purple mountain majesties 
Above the fruited plain! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
And crown thy good with brotherhood 
From sea to shining sea! 

O beautiful for pilgrim feet 
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat 
Across the wilderness! 
America! America! 
God mend thine every flaw, 
Confirm thy soul in self-control, 
Thy liberty in law! 

O beautiful for heroes proved 
In liberating strife. 
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life! 
America! America! 
May God thy gold refine
 Till all success be nobleness 
And every gain divine! 

O beautiful for patriot dream 
That sees beyond the years 
Thine alabaster cities gleam 
Undimmed by human tears! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
And crown thy good with brotherhood 
From sea to shining sea!
 
O beautiful for halcyon skies, 
For amber waves of grain, 
For purple mountain majesties 
Above the enameled plain! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till souls wax fair as earth and air 
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet, 
Whose stem impassioned stress 
A thoroughfare for freedom beat 
Across the wilderness! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till paths be wrought through 
wilds of thought 
By pilgrim foot and knee!
 
O beautiful for glory-tale 
Of liberating strife 
When once and twice, 
for man's avail 
Men lavished precious life! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till selfish gain no longer stain 
The banner of the free!
 
O beautiful for patriot dream 
That sees beyond the years 
Thine alabaster cities gleam 
Undimmed by human tears! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till nobler men keep once again 
Thy whiter jubilee! 



~QUOTES~

"Thus may the 4th of July, that glorious and ever 
memorable day, be celebrated through America, 
by the sons of freedom, from age to age till time 
shall be no more. Amen and Amen." 
~Virginia Gazette July 18, 1777

"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive 
of these ends (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness), 
it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, 
and to institute new government."
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), 
from the Declaration of Independence

"Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all 
the inhabitants thereof" 
-words written on the Liberty Bell 



~Links of Interest~

Sign your Name to the 
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence Challenge




Home Get Your Dings Here!!! 
Barbaras Corner  Showcases  
Remembering 911 Banners