By Wayne Horne
The 4th of July is the birthday of the United States of America. The Declaration of Independence, which is what the celebration of the holiday is all about, was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776. While it is generally known that the day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence the actual signing of the document took place on July 2, 1776.The two signers were John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the other signers did not actually sign the document until August 2, 1776. It took the entire month of July and part of August to secure the 56 signatures that appear on the original document. Much of the document was written by Thomas Jefferson who originally included a rebuke of the slave trade as part of the text, even though he was a slave owner. The language was removed before the states of South Carolina and Georgia would accept the manuscript. During the Civil War both sides celebrated the Fourth of July as their own holiday.
The essence of the Declaration comes in the first part of the second paragraph as follows:
“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.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
The actual Constitution of the United States of America that is the law of the land today was not adopted until 12 years later on May 27, 1789. There have been 27 amendments added since then. The last addition to the U.S. Constitution, Amendment XXVII, was originally proposed in 1789 and deals with Congressional pay raises. It was ratified on May 7, 1992. And you thought today’s Congress moved slowly.
This year’s Fourth of July holiday will no doubt include discussions about recent Supreme Court decisions that have caused widespread unrest about future after-effects that will impact many segments of American society. Here are some “fascinating facts” gleaned from my desktop copy of The U.S. Constitution:
Samuel Chase is the only Supreme Court justice to be impeached. The politically motivated charges failed in the Senate in 1805.
George Washington appointed the most Supreme Court justices (11). Only FDR came close with 9 appointments.
Jimmy Carter is the only President to serve a full term without appointing a Supreme Court justice.
One should not have a discussion on this patriotic holiday without noting some of the Constitution amendments that were introduced but never ratified. For instance, in 1876 there was an attempt to abolish the U.S. Senate. An interesting note on the Senate topic seems relevant today. There are 21 states that have a population that is collectively smaller than the State of California but have 42 Senators. Seems that deck is a little stacked. Another thwarted amendment proposed in 1878 would have replaced the President with a “Council of Three.” Imagine that one. Half the country at any one time can’t agree with just one person in the Oval office. Finally, an amendment in 1948 would give American citizens the right to segregate themselves from others. My guess is, it was determined an amendment for that wasn’t necessary.
One last thing…sometimes I think it best to let others express the appropriate thoughts for a day like the Fourth of July:
“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” – Abraham Lincoln
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.” ― Thomas Paine
“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy
Stay tuned…
Comments welcome at wayneswords@thetimesweekly.com
