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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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 Fri Jul 02, 2004 10:25 pm Happy Birthday to the USA! |
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"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness), it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government."
-Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), from the Declaration of Independence
Although July 4th is celebrated as America's official split from Britain's rule and the beginning of the American Revolution, the actual series of events show that the process took far longer than a single day. The original resolution was introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia on June 7, 1776, and called for the Continental Congress to declare the United States free from British rule. Three days later a committee headed by Thomas Jefferson was appointed to prepare an appropriate writing for the occasion.
The document that we know as the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress on July 4th although the resolution that led to the writing of the Declaration was actually approved two days earlier.
All of this had occurred with some of the delegates to the Congress not even present; New York, for example, did not even vote on the resolution until July 9th.
Even more interesting is the fact that not a single signature was appended to the Declaration on July 4th. While most of the fifty-six names were in place by early August, one signer, Thomas McKean, did not actually sign the Declaration until 1781.
Nevertheless, July 4th was the day singled out to mark the event of the United States establishing itself as a nation.
Only four American holidays are still celebrated on their proper calendar days: Halloween, Christmas, New Year's and Independence Day. Of all the secular holidays, the Fourth of July is the only one whose celebration date resists change. Even in more provincial times, suggestions to alter the day of the festival to the preceding Saturday or the following Monday when July 4th fell on Sunday were protested.
"Thus may the 4th of July, that glorious and ever memorable day, be celebrated through America, by the sons of freedom, from age to age till time shall be no more. Amen and Amen."-Virginia Gazette-July 18th, 1777
The Declaration of Independence:
| Quote: | When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness....
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
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IntrepidIsMe
Pimp Handed
Joined: 14 Jun 2002
Posts: 13057
Location: New York
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| Fri Jul 02, 2004 11:28 pm |
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Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaappy Birthday to the USA, 
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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~Voyager Fanatic~
Super Genius
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 1787
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| Fri Jul 02, 2004 11:53 pm |
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Happy Birthday to the USA! 
-------signature-------
Disembodiment is the epitome of perfection...
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 12:00 am |
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Happy 228th, USA.
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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GhostOfAMemory
Star-crossed Voyager
Joined: 06 Sep 2003
Posts: 4322
Location: My computer... duh
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 2:25 am |
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WHOOOOOOO GO AMERICA! *waves flag* YEAH!
...only fly for freedom
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- The road goes ever on and on, down from door where it began; Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow, if I can -
Jesus loves you! God bless
Go to www.purevolume.com/leahcoiro NOW or face anhilation! BWAHA!
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B'Elanna Torres 7 of 9
Ballet Babe
Joined: 20 Aug 2001
Posts: 3642
Location: DISNEY WORLD
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 3:19 am |
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YAY for fireworks!!! They were finally made legal again in Minnesota about a year or so ago, and tonight there were 3 distinct houses on my street shooting off like the louded possible ones they could find. I love fireworks!1
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"...I want so much more than they've got planned."*Belle Reprise* Beauty and the Beast
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B'Elanna Torres 7 of 9
Ballet Babe
Joined: 20 Aug 2001
Posts: 3642
Location: DISNEY WORLD
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 3:28 am |
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You know, just 2 nights ago i saw a trailer for a movie coming out about the declaration of independence and such called "National Treasure". Like it's about there's this map on the back of it, and on the dollar bills and what not are really leading towards some war-treasure in egypt... or i dn't know where. It actually looked really good. It's such a different idea from like all of the movies now days - it just looks exciting b/c it's so different!! Here's a link you all should check out to see the trailer:
http://nationaltreasure.movies.go.com/main.html
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"...I want so much more than they've got planned."*Belle Reprise* Beauty and the Beast
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Zippy
Commodore
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 1790
Location: i'm where i should be
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 3:46 am |
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Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...happy birthday dear America...happy birthday to you.
-------signature-------
-zippy
Fun, Nice, Simple
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Oliver
Thought Maker
Joined: 28 Feb 2004
Posts: 6096
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 9:26 am |
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I'm one day too early but that doesn't mean I don't mean it: Happy birthday!
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 12:22 pm |
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If tomorrow all the things were gone
I worked for all my life
and I had to start again
with just my children and my wife
and thank my lucky stars to be living here today
'cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away
and I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free
and I won't forget the one's who died
who gave that right to me
and I'd gladly stand up
next to you
and if ever still today
'cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA
from the lakes of Minisota to the hills of Tennesee
across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea
from Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A.
where there's pride in every American heart
and its time we stand and sang.
that I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free
and I won't forget the ones who died
who gave that right to me
and I'd gladly stand up
next to you
and if ever still today
'cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA
and I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free
and I won't forget the one's who died
who gave that right to me
and I'd gladly stand up
next to you and if ever still today
'cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA
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superwoman
Vice Admiral
Joined: 25 May 2004
Posts: 5742
Location: Sweden
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 2:01 pm |
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Happy birthday!
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Thomas
Pool Princess
Joined: 08 Jul 2001
Posts: 19730
Location: Manchester
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 2:23 pm |
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Penblwydd hapus!
I think that's the right spelling, but I can't be sure,  Happy Birthday!
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Gloss rhymes with hair!
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DemonClassY
Commodore
Joined: 11 Jan 2004
Posts: 1986
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 2:27 pm |
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Happy Birthday USA!!!!!
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First city to bring home the Lombardi Trophy and Lord Stanley in the same season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Captain Dappet
Forum Revolutionist
Joined: 06 Feb 2002
Posts: 16756
Location: On my supersonic rocket ship.
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 3:17 pm |
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Happy Birthday.
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Jeremy
J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002
Posts: 7823
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 3:31 pm |
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Happy Birthday to the USA and all the American people!
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harrykims#1fan
Fan Girl Muskateer
Joined: 08 Feb 2002
Posts: 2916
Location: Leicester UK
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 4:29 pm |
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Happy Birthday America!
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Ronevick
The King
Joined: 23 May 2003
Posts: 11428
Location: (609), New Jersey
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 4:43 pm |
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Happy B-Day US of A!
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sabertooth1217
UPN Boycotter
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 11484
Location: Texas
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superwoman
Vice Admiral
Joined: 25 May 2004
Posts: 5742
Location: Sweden
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 5:48 pm |
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It's past midnight here, so now I can gratulate ...it for real
Happy birthday!
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sat Jul 03, 2004 11:50 pm |
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"Yesterday, the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that those United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."
- John Adams Letter to Mrs. Adams, July 3, 1776
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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B'Elanna Torres 7 of 9
Ballet Babe
Joined: 20 Aug 2001
Posts: 3642
Location: DISNEY WORLD
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| Sun Jul 04, 2004 1:13 am |
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I really like that picture on the very first post on this site with the statue of the guys standing up the flag, and the fireworks in the background!!
-------signature-------
"...I want so much more than they've got planned."*Belle Reprise* Beauty and the Beast
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sabertooth1217
UPN Boycotter
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 11484
Location: Texas
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| Sun Jul 04, 2004 1:24 am |
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It's July 4th here in Texas
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Defiant
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 04 Jul 2001
Posts: 15946
Location: Oregon City, OR
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| Mon Jul 05, 2004 2:13 pm |
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The USA sucks...Happy birthday anyways...
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Mon Jul 05, 2004 4:33 pm |
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So do you, but we put up with you.
Since your mother was apparently negligent in this matter, I'll say it. If you've nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Ksim3000
Rear Admiral
Joined: 27 Mar 2002
Posts: 4952
Location: United Kingdom
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| Mon Jul 05, 2004 8:43 pm |
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I hope that you all had a nice day! I wish I could celebrate it but alas, we were in the enemies and my family don't like to talk about The American Revoloution. Still, happy day to you all!
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