After the completion of the Declaration of Independence on June 28, 1776, the writers submitted the hand-written statement to Second Continental Congress meeting at the Pennsylvania State House and Lee’s Resolution for Independence was passed without a dissenting vote. John Adams of Massachusetts wrote his wife that “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.”
The New Englander might have been one of the smartest men in the Colonies, however Adams was no seer, for July 2nd was overlooked in favor of July 4, which was when the Congress announced the official adoption of the Declaration of Independence from England to the public.
The second sentence foretold a promise.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
News of the Declaration spread from Philadelphia north, south, and west.
General Washington had the words read to his troops in New York City. The British fleet rode at anchor in the harbor. The people of that city tore down King George III’s equestrian statue and melted the lead into bullets. America has been independent since July 2, 1776, although the second sentence has yet to fulfill the challenge of equality and justice for all.
Maybe one day and maybe not.
Freedom doesn’t mean the same to everyone.
Especially not these days.
But I believe.
E pluribus unum.