A nod to historical accuracy
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jul 02, 2003
On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
The document was signed on July 4, and so-- confounding the prediction of John Adams-- the latter date is now celebrated as America's Independence Day.
Fair enough; signing sealed the document. (And with fresh news of British military triumphs In New York raising the real possibility that the members of the Continental Congress would soon face the gallows, signing the document was no small step.) So it makes perfect sense to celebrate on the 4th of July. And I shall.
But on July 2, I always raise a toast, and a prayer of thanksgiving, for the founding fathers who won that critical vote.
And I'm proud to recall that Adams, who did more than anyone else to ensure passage of that resolution, was, like me, raised in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
(For extra credit: Name the four US presidents born in Norfolk County.)
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
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