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.

Fireworks

You know, I don’t really understand why people say “Happy Fourth of July!” The holiday is called Independence Day… it just happens to be on July 4.

Well, my high school government teacher swears that it should actually be celebrated on July 2, which I learned from a 37-comment conversation on Facebook.  Apparently the Second Continental Congress approved the resolution of independence on July 2, but the statement explaining this decision – the Declaration of Independence – wasn’t approved until July 4.  So technically we were legally independent as of July 2, 1776.

According to John Adams:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Well, he got it mostly right.  And with the fog and cloud cover that is July in San Francisco, “illuminations” is spot-on.

Fireworks