Our 250 Year Birthday

On July 4th, we celebrate Independence Day, or should we celebrate Horsefly Day?

 

July 4th is the day we celebrate our independence. However, it was on June 7th that Richard Henry Lee of Virginia petitioned the Second Continental Congress to break from England. On July 2nd, Thomas Jefferson and four other delegates wrote the Declaration of Independence.

John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, The Second Day of July, 1776, will be memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the Great Anniversary Celebration."

On July 4th, the windows were opened to let a slight breeze in. However, as houseflies from a stable invaded the room in droves, the delegates were in battle, swatting the houseflies. After a few minutes, the delegates gave up and voted to accept the document as written. After it was seconded, they all fled the building. The document wasn't signed until August 2, 1776. 

So, instead of celebrating Independence Day, maybe we should celebrate National Horsefly Day.

(From the book Shocking Secrets of American History by Bill Coate.)