Why is July 4 Independence Day?

Zann Miner
Published: July 2, 2008

Ever wonder why a particular date was selected to celebrate a particular event? Obviously, some are no brainers: the day a battle commenced, the day a couple shares their marriage vows or the day of one’s birth. In most cases, it appears to be the beginning of something significant.

The fourth of July (1776) is celebrated as the birth of our nation, but wouldn’t the British surrender date have been more accurate? What if we had not won the war and we very nearly did not? The Fourth of July would have become the sad memory of the date of conception for a miscarried pregnancy.

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), started as a civil war between Great Britain and the 13 British colonies primarily over the issue of governance. Gen. Cornwallis, representing the forces of Great Britain, surrendered to Gen. George Washington’s Continental army in Yorktown on Oct. 19, 1781 and the Treaty of Paris was signed on Sept. 3, 1783. However, these dates have been relegated to obscurity in favor of the Fourth of July. Perhaps, it was indeed the beginning of something extraordinary.

Despite what one might think, the decision to part ways and the subsequent declaration of independence was not the initial course of action and became a hotly contested debate.

The 56 men of the First Continental Congress convened in September of 1774 were not about to make a rash decision, but something had to be done. England had imposed taxes on the colonists supposedly to pay the cost of protecting them with military forces in the French and Indian (1754-1763) war. The English actions were construed as unnecessary hardships and more importantly as taxation without representation. The colonists balked. England responded to the resistance with a police action.

Appeals for redress were sent to the King including the Declaration and Resolves that summarized their objections to the actions of Great Britain, listed a certain expected rights, and provided a list of grievances. Below is an excerpt from the document illustrating a rather humble and non-aggressive attitude.

To these grievous acts and measures, Americans cannot submit, but in hopes their fellow subjects in Great Britain will, on a revision of them, restore us to that state, in which both countries found happiness and prosperity, we have for the present, only resolved to pursue the following peaceable measures: 1. To enter into a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement or association. 2. To prepare an address to the people of Great-Britain, and a memorial to the inhabitants of British America: and 3. To prepare a loyal address to his majesty, agreeable to resolutions already entered into.

On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress convened and by July had prepared two documents. The Declaration of Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms was adopted and published to justify to other world governments why the American Colonies had taken up arms against Great Britain. They then sent to the King of England a second petition entitled the Olive Branch Petition.

The Olive Branch Petition claimed that the colonies did not want independence but that they merely desired to negotiate trade and tax regulations with Great Britain. Several options were suggested and a negotiated settlement was the preferred outcome.

However, an intercepted letter from John Adams foiled the success of the petition. Adams expressed a belief that war was inevitable. The King used Adams’ letter to invalidate the sincerity of the petition and refused to negotiate. Adams and his followers employed this action to steer the Colonists toward the path of independence.

Convening again in 1776, The Continental Congress was presented with the Lee Resolution, also known as the Resolution for Independence, adopted by the Virginia Convention and delivered on June 7 by Richard Henry Lee. A Committee of Five was then appointed to prepare a document detailing the reasons for independence.

The document became known as the United States Declaration of Independence adopted by Congress on July 2 and formally announced on July 4. At the time of the announcement, only John Hancock, President of the Congress, had signed the document. On Aug. 2, the other 55 members began the signature process.

Was the Fourth of July, 1776 the birth date of our nation or the adoption, of an idea so powerful and so natural to the human spirit that it has become the life-blood of the American philosophy? One might argue that those two thoughts are not mutually exclusive rather one in the same.

On Friday, July 4, during cookouts, parades, and political events in almost any location in the United States of America, the words freedom, independence, liberty and self government can be heard ringing from cornfield to penthouse.

It is the national holiday and some might say embodies the essence of America. It certainly merits a moment or two of thoughtful contemplation. Have a safe holiday.
Until next week.

Zann Miner, former director of the Museum of Culpeper History, can be reached at or write Zann Miner c/o the Culpeper Star Exponent 471 James Madison Hwy. Suite 201 Culpeper, VA 22701.