AUTHORING AND ADOPTING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WE CELEBRATE AND COMMEMORATE TODAY............

Thomas Jefferson, who along with George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and a plethora of patriots, were instrumental leaders in the founding and freedom that uniquely formed the United States of America more than two and one third centuries ago.  Colonists of Great Britain who had grown increasingly disappointed, disillusioned, disenfranchised, and disturbed with the deterioration in their relationship with the King of England and the Government, and the growing infringement on their liberty in the New World, they chose to revolt.  During June 1776, Thomas Jefferson authored the draft of a document of declaration, that the assembly of colonists, called the Continental Congress, then took up for consideration at the beginning of July.  During the month of June, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia had proposed a resolution calling for independence to the Second Continental Congress, which they voted to accept forming in turn a Committee of Five led by Jefferson as the principal member to author a Declaration Of Independence.  The Continental Congress adopted the draft in principle on July 2nd, and voted for it final approval and signed the document on the 4th of July, 1776.  Abigail Adams diary states that she wrote at the time he told her, "the second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.  I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations of Americans as the great American festival.It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parades, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more".  Adams was mistaken by two days, as the date on the Declaration a year later and forward to today became the day of national celebration and since 1870, a federal holiday.  On the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1777, the citizens of Philadelphia celebrated the occasion in almost exactly the way John Adams said it should be.  Subsequently New York City, and other towns, cities, and municipalities and metropolitan areas throughout  the USA have continuously commemorated the 4th of July, as the Day of our National Birthday.  Parades, Picnics, Barbeques, Band Concerts, Fireworks, and Fun, are marking today around America, on this the 236th anniversary of the Declaration Of Independence, the founding document establishing the United States of America.  The 4th of July celebrating our Freedom and Liberty as independent Citizens of this sovereign Nation, has also always been inextricably linked to American Presidents.  Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, our first 5 Presidents, Founding Patriots, directly associated with its adoption.  Coincidentally, fifty and fifty five years later to the date of the Declaration, on July 4, 1826, the 50th Anniversary of our Independence, Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died, as did President James Monroe on July 4, 1831.  July 4, 1872, also became the birthday of another President - Calvin Coolidge.  Presidents and candidates for Presidents are always participants in traditional 4th of July commemorations, just as President Obama and Governor Romney, are being today. President Obama hosting an Immigration Induction Ceremony for twenty five new citizens who have served in the military in the White House; and Governor Romney marching with thirty members of his family, in a 4th of July Parade in New Hampshire, near one of their family homes.  After dinner here at Mercy McMahon Terrace I will be observing this Independence Day by viewing portions of the PBS, CBS, NBC, holiday specials, in lieu of an invitation to a barbeque and fireworks anywhere else  tonight with my involuntary exile from parish life and pastoral ministry.  God Bless America on this Independence Day 2012 in acknowledgement, appreciation, and anticipation, past, present, future, for the Freedom and Liberty in Living Faith, Fellowship, and Fidelity, that are our National Heritage............Fr.  Troy