Happy Independence Day!

John Adams once wrote to his wife, Abigail:

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

OK, so he was off by 2 days.  It took the Second Continmental Congress till July 4 to approve the Declaration.  He was right on most of the rest.

This is the great anniversary festival.  I will be honoring the sacrifices made by the Founders as well as my beloved family, by reading the Declaration of Independence to my children.  I'll also be pondering what triggered the Revolution. 

It wasn't like John and Sam Adams woke up one morning and decided to start a war.  The Revolution took many years of simmering and attempts at diplomacy.  Americans began to see themselves as Americans and not as British subjects only after years of being treated with contempt by George III and his parliament.

I have to keep reminding myself not to discuss politics on this blog.  This is about homeschool.  And July 4 is a good time to re-read the Declaration and remember who we are, where we come from, and why we are Americans today.

America!  God shed His grace on thee!

Happy 4th of July!