Lessons From the Fourth of July

We were all saddened to hear of the death of 19 brave firefighters who sacrificed themselves working to keep the citizens of Yarnell save from a raging fire.  Times like this are when we come to appreciate the bravery and courage of those who work behind the scenes protecting us and keeping us safe.  May we never forget to keep them in our prayers. 

As we approach July forth, I encourage everyone to take a moment away from the hot dogs, hamburgers, and watermelon and think of the true meaning of The Fourth of July.  It is important to reflect on our history for it is history that teaches us what to do and the mistakes to avoid. 

The declaration of independence is not something that the writers came up with on the spur of the moment.  It is also now something its writers drafted out of a desire to go to war against the most powerful army in the world at the time.  There were many events that occurred and many attempts by the colonials to present their grievances to the crown.  Unfortunately, their redress of grievances fell on deaf ears and led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence from the British Crown.  (1) (2)

After the end of the French and Indian war in 1763, King George III felt the colonists owed the crown something for the money the Crown spent in defending them.  The French and Indian War was a part of the larger Seven Years’ War and fighting this war had left Britain in debt. (3) The crown knew that the winning of the French and Indian War meant the colonists were now free to settle the land west of the Appalachian Mountains so they passed the proclamation of 1763, banning colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. 

Things turned violent on March 5, 1770 in the Boston Massacre where five colonists lost their lives.  Things escalated on May 10, 1773 with the enactment of the Tea Act leading to the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. (3) This led to the following events.

1774

March 31:  Boston Port Act (Intolerable Act #1). Parliament closes the port of Boston until all the damage caused by the Tea Party is paid back.

May 13:  The British put Massachusetts under military rule. More troops arrive.

May 20:  Administration of Justice Act (Intolerable Act #2). Parliament protects royal officials from being sued in colonial courts.

May 20:  Massachusetts Government Act (Intolerable Act #3). Parliament ends democratic government in Massachusetts by allowing the royal governor to appoint the legislature.

June 2:  Quartering Act (Intolerable Act #4). Parliament orders colonists to house British troops, even in colonists’ homes.

June 22:  Quebec Act (Intolerable Act #5). Parliament gives Canada control of land claimed by Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Virginia.

Sept. 5:  First Continental Congress. It meets in Philadelphia with every colony, except Georgia, sending delegates. Among the delegates are Patrick Henry, George Washington, Sam Adams, and John Hancock.

Oct. 14:  Declaration and Resolves. Congress demands Parliament repeal the Intolerable Acts and threatens to boycott British goods if Parliament does not.

Oct. 20:  Continental Association. Congress creates this system to boycott British goods unless Parliament repeals the Intolerable Acts.

1775

Feb. 9:  Because Massachusetts is forming militia units, Parliament declares it to be in a state of rebellion.

March 23:  Virginian Patrick Henry delivers a speech favoring independence and says, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

March 30:  New England Restraining Act. King George approves this act, which orders New England colonies to trade with Britain only.

April 18:  Rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes. That night, the two men ride from Boston to warn colonists that British troops are coming to seize weapons.

April 19:  First battle of the Revolutionary War. Americans and British troops open fire at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. “The shot heard ’round the world.”

May 10:  Second Continental Congress. It meets in Philadelphia.

June 15:  Congress names George Washington commander in chief of the Continental Army.

June 17:  Battle of Bunker Hill. The first major battle between British and American troops, it actually takes place on Breed’s Hill in Boston. British troops charge up the hill, and Americans are ordered to hold their fire until they can see “the whites of their eyes.” The British eventually take the hill but suffer heavy losses.

July 5:  Olive Branch Petition. Congress sends a petition to the king asking him to reach an agreement with the Americans. When it reaches him in August, the king refuses to read the petition.

July 6:  Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms. Congress explains why Americans are fighting, including their objection to the Intolerable Acts and taxation without representation.

Aug. 23:  Proclamation of Rebellion. The king proclaims that the colonies are in “open and avowed rebellion.” He orders Britain to put down the rebellion.

Dec. 22:  American Prohibitory Act. Parliament orders a trade embargo and tells the British navy to seize any ships trading with the colonies.

1776

Jan. 5:  New Hampshire adopts the first state constitution.

Jan. 15:  Common Sense. Thomas Paine publishes this short, highly popular book arguing for independence from Britain.

March 17:  British troops leave Boston for Halifax, Canada.

June–July:  A huge British fleet and army gather near New York City.

July 4:  Declaration of Independence. Congress votes to adopt the declaration. (3)

As we look at the United States Today, we seem to be facing similar challenges.  Polls show that the approval ratings of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the President are all below 50 percent.  (4) (5) (6) What these polls tell us is that a majority of the American People are fed up with all three branches of their government.  This has led some to believe the United States may be in a pre-revolutionary state this July forth that could lead to social turmoil or even violence.  (7)  We can only pray and hope our government wakes up and starts listening to the list of grievances its citizens have. 

As a sign of hope, the Obama Administration delayed the employer mandate requirement of Obamacare until 2015 on July 2, 2013.  (8) This is only a delay but it is a sign that our continual petitioning them with our grievances may be having an effect.  I therefore encourage everyone to continue praying, and petitioning the White House, House, and Senate with our grievances. 

As we approach July 4, our liberty is in jeopardy but as long as we have a voice, we must continue to speak up and voice our grievances. 

1. Kidig, Thomas. Timeline of the Revolutionary War. www.ushistory.org. [Online] UShistory.org. [Cited: July 2, 2013.] http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm.

2. age-or-the-sage.org. The Declaration of Independence. www.age-of-the-sage.org. [Online] [Cited: July 2, 2013.] http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/philosophy/declaration_of_independence.html.

3. Constitutional Rights Foundation. Timeline for American Independence. www.crfcelebrateamerica.org. [Online] Constitutional Rights Foundation, 2013. [Cited: July 2, 2013.] http://www.crfcelebrateamerica.org/index.php/story/69-timeline-for-american-independence.

4. Rasmussen Reports. Public Approval of Supreme Court Falls to All-Time Low. www.rasmussenreports.com. [Online] Reamussen Reports, July 1, 2013. [Cited: July 2, 2013.] http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/supreme_court_update.

5. —. Daily Presidential Tracking Poll. www.rasmussenreports.com. [Online] Rasmussen Reports, July 2, 2013. [Cited: July 2, 2013.] http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll.

6. Dimond, Diane. There Ought to Be a Law Against an 'Incompetent' Congress. www.huffingtonpost.com. [Online] The Huffington Post, June 29, 2013. [Cited: July 2, 2013.] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-dimond/there-ought-to-be-a-law-a_b_3522154.html.

7. Simon, Roger L. Is America in a Pre-Revolutionary State this July 4th? nation.foxnews.com. [Online] Fox News. [Cited: July 2, 2013.] http://nation.foxnews.com/2013/07/02/america-pre-revolutionary-state-july-4th.

8. Kliff, Sarah. White House delays employer mandate requirement until 2015. www.washingtonpost.com. [Online] The Washington Post, July 2, 2013. [Cited: July 2, 2013.] http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/07/02/white-house-delays-employer-mandate-requirement-until-2015/?print=1.