Tuesday, July 04, 2006

The Declaration of Independence


Have you ever heard the recording of JFK reading the Declaration? Here is a link
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.

Those words always give me goosebumps.


Have you ever watched "1776"? Great movie. You can see the theatrical trailer here. I am also told it was a good play.
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My favorite signer..........no surprise........the cantankerous and belligerent and brilliant and romantic John Adams passed away on this day in 1826, 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia, John Adams died at his home in Braintree. One of the great men of the Revolutionary generation and the second president of the United States, Adams was 91 years old. Shortly before he breathed his last, John Adams whispered, "Thomas Jefferson survives." In fact, 560 miles away at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson had died only a few hours earlier. The fact that these two founding fathers died on the same day and that it was, of all days, the Fourth of July was not viewed as a coincidence. In his two-hour eulogy at Fanueil Hall, Daniel Webster cited it as "proof" of how much God cared for the country.

6 comments:

Barb said...

I went to see 1776 on stage in Pittsburgh in the mid 70s -- a fantastic production, and very enjoyable. I should watch the movie just to remind myself of the wonderful lyrics!

BostonMaggie said...

Don't just remind yourself....sing along!

Barb said...

Indeed! And John Adams character in the play was the most memorable of all, you'll be glad to know. Of course, the first song is "Sit down, John", so you can understand why!!!
*grin*

Happy Independence Day!

Anonymous said...

John and I love 1776, too. We have the video.

And John Adams is by far my favorite!

Anonymous said...

John Adams; the real "Father of the U.S. Navy". He instinctively knew how very important it is to have and maintain a strong Navy. He made sure we got one.
SB

BostonMaggie said...

Yes SB, bonus points for the Navy thing....but he was our favorite before we knew that. Wasn't he?