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.)

Celebrating July Fourth

                                       July Fourth Celebrating

Soon we will be celebrating the birth of our nation. It is a time to learn about and honor all those who made our democracy possible.

We are all familiar with George Washington and the men we refer to as our founding fathers. However, there were many we do not think about. Let's take a look at two of the lesser-known

Anna Marie Lane lived in Virginia with her husband. When he enlisted in the Continental Army, she dressed like a man and fought alongside her husband from 1776 to 1781. After the war, she was awarded a pension for her heroic actions during the Battle of Germantown. 

Margaret Corbin (also known as Molly Pitcher) was a camp follower after her husband enlisted in the army. She and the other wives cooked, cleaned, and cared for the wounded. 

Molly would bring water to the front line for the soldiers and to cool the cannons. While she was delivering water to the men at the Battle of Fort Washington in 1776,.her husband was killed while manning a cannon. She took his place operating the artillery until she was wounded. Later, she became the first woman to receive an army pension.

Some women served as spies for the Continental Army, warning George Washington and other leaders of British plans.

Some were Mary Ludwig Hays, Deborah Sampson, and Mercy Otis Warren, to name a few. 

Let's stop during our celebrations and thank all the people past and present, known and unknown, who have served our country with honor, integrity, sacrifice, and love. 

patriots.