celebrities scandal

As we celebrate a long Fourth of July weekend, one might argue that July 2 might be a more appropriate date for celebration. We've long recognized July 4 as Independence Day. But the vote to approve a brief resolution to declare independence, proposed by Virginia's Richard Henry Lee, happened on July 2, 1776.

The delegates of the Continental Congress finalized the declaration on July 4, following amendments to the original draft. The approved document — actually named "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America" — then had to be sent to a printer. On Aug. 2 the delegates present put their "John Hancocks" on it. Some of the 56 delegates instead sent letters to the Congress because they weren't in Philadelphia at the time.

The attached video is from the 1972 movie musical, 1776. We provide it here not for its historical accuracy, but as an entertaining but still instructive look at what might have happened in the moments leading up to a vote. The film presents a tense and somber scene, rather than a celebratory one.

John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that in future generations July 2 should be "solenmized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other."

In 1776, the congressional delegates had numerous disagreements but they compromised. This year, celebrating the nation's founding for three days instead of one is unlikely to attract a lot of dissenting votes. We have a month to decide what, if anything, to do on Aug. 2.