Independence Day

A Fourth of July story.
A little known (I think) fact about July Fourth is that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on the same day, July 4th, fifty years after the Declaration of Independence. They had made up their differences and had corresponded regularly in their last years.
Only Washington and Franklin were their equals among the the distinguished band of Founding Fathers Providence blessed our republic with.

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Diotrephes · 70-79, M

A review of history shows that not all Americans share the same Independence Day. Black people gained their independence on December 18, 1865, when the Thirteenth Amendment officially became part of the Constitution. And, even though Blacks were officially free and independent at that time they still were not Americans. They didn't officially become Americans until July 28, 1868 when the Fourteenth Amendment officially became part of the Constitution.

Most American Indians didn't actually become Americans until the American Indian Citizenship Act was signed into law on June 2, 1924. But even so some still couldn't vote until 1957.

LeopoldBloom · M

@Diotrephes Technically, even white Americans weren't independent until the Treaty of Paris was ratified on September 3, 1783, when Britain formally recognized the independence of the former colonies.

Diotrephes · 70-79, M

@LeopoldBloom So, why isn't September 3 the nation's official Independence Day?

LeopoldBloom · M

@Diotrephes Probably because July 4 was already being celebrated. But that's a good question; you'd think it would at least be commemorated. People mention the anniversaries of Pearl Harbor and D-Day, but Sept. 3 isn't even mentioned. I think I will start doing that from now on.