Tuesday 4 July 2017

Basket of Triangles

Continental Congress met in Philadelphia June 7, 1776, where Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for independence from Great Britain. July second the vote in favor of his motion was nearly unanimous. (New York initially abstained, but eventually went with the crowd). On that day, John Adams wrote his wife Abigail, saying July second would be celebrated for generations to come with “pomp and parade, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations (another word for fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other.” The Declaration of Independence was formally adopted two days later, and July 4 became the official holiday. Adams was irritated beyond reason, and would routinely turn down invitations to celebrate the Fourth of July in protest. He died July 4 1826, presumably as annoyed as ever. Here’s to a happy and safe Independence Day for all of us, even if we are two days late.

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