THIS DAY IN HISTORY

Declaring Independence

On July 4, 1776, a group of Americans approved a document declaring the United States of America free from English rule. This document was the Declaration of Independence, and today we celebrate the 248th birthday of this courageous action!

Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, outlined its purpose:

When forced, therefore, to resort to arms for redress, an appeal to the tribunal of the world was deemed proper for our justification. This was the object of the Declaration of Independence....Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind.

John Adams wrote his wife relating his hopes for the cause they were undertaking:

I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means and that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction.

Across the generations, many others have heralded the importance of the Declaration.  For example, Civil War hero Ulysses S. Grant saw it as one of the many evidences of God's guidance:

In all these marked stages of national progress, from the Declaration of Independence to the recent amendments of the Constitution, it is impossible not to perceive a providential series and succession of events.

In honor of the lasting truths set forth in the Declaration of Independence, let’s celebrate this Independence Day in a way that was recommended by John Adams:

It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.

Enjoy this new July 4th message from Tim Barton!!

Presenting America’s forgotten history and heroes

with an emphasis on our moral, religious and constitutional heritage.