Betsy Ross with General George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. Painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris – public domain
By Debbie Burke
In the U.S., we celebrate July 4, 1776 when 13 upstart colonies declared their independence from Great Britain and proclaimed they were the United States of America.
The crafters of the Declaration of Independence were well aware of the momentous nature of the document. They wrote several drafts before they were satisfied that it said exactly what they meant. The draft shown this photo was hand-written by Thomas Jefferson.
Writers should take comfort that even the brilliant Jefferson had to line out and rewrite parts.
The final draft was engrossed (formally hand-written) on parchment by Timothy Matlack, a beer bottler known for his fine penmanship. Side note: August 2 was the date when all 56 delegates had actually signed the document.
In 1776, centuries before the internet, how did news of independence reach its citizens?
The distance from northern New Hampshire to southern Georgia stretched more than 1100 miles. Transportation by horseback took days and weeks. Hard to imagine in today’s world where data is instantly available around the globe faster than an eye blink.
Back then, broadsides were commonly used to disseminate important information. They were large, one-sided posters that were read aloud to large gatherings of townspeople and groups of soldiers. Broadsides were also prominently displayed in public places.
At the direction of the Continental Congress, a Philadelphia printer named John Dunlap printed an estimated 200 broadsides of the Declaration of Independence. They were reproductions of the actual document without original signatures.
Declaration of Independence – National Archives
John Hancock’s name was featured in large-font type, perhaps to approximate his actual oversized signature. Legend claims he wrote prominently so John Bull (the British equivalent of Uncle Sam) could read it without spectacles.
The Dunlap Broadsides were delivered throughout the colonies to spread the word about independence. While the British fleet was anchored in New York Harbor, Admiral Richard Howe of the Royal Navy received a copy, which he delivered it to King George and Parliament.
Of the approximate 200 broadsides printed in 1776 by John Dunlap, only 26 survive, not surprising since many were pasted to buildings where weather destroyed them. Three were located in London. The New York Public Library has one. The National Archives has one which is displayed to the public at limited times.
Two hundred copies were not nearly enough to spread the word and other printers followed Dunlap’s July issue with their own replications. One printed in Massachusetts by Ezekiel Russell was offered by Sotheby’s for $1-1.5 million. It contained additional text as follows:
Ordered, That the Declaration of Independence be printed; and a Copy sent to the Ministers of each Parish, of every Denomination, within this State; and that they severally be required to read the same to their respective Congregations, as soon as divine Service is ended, in the Afternoon, on the first Lord’s Day after they shall have received it: — And after such Publication thereof, to deliver the said Declaration to the Clerks of their several Towns, or Districts; who are hereby required to record the same in their respective Town, or District Books, there to remain as a perpetual Memorial thereof.
In 2000, TV producer Norman Lear paid $8.14 million for a Dunlap broadside which he later took on a tour of all 50 states to give the public an opportunity to see the historic birth certificate of the country.
On this July Fourth, we celebrate some of the most important words ever written. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are the Charters of Freedom that changed history.
Of course, the Declaration of Independence wasn’t as important as winning the war to make it stick. The upstart US was taking on the most powerful country in the world. How did we win? It’s complicated.
I was at a library in Denver and grabbed a book to read while my wife was looking for something. I was unable to put it down. It was an account of the War for Independence from the British POV. The title is “Those Damned Rebels.” Author: Michael Pearson.
https://www.amazon.com/Those-Damned-Rebels-American-Revolution/dp/0306809834/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LR9NYTRROVRD&keywords=Michael+Pearson+%22those+damned+rebels%22&qid=1688453626&sprefix=michael+pearson+those+damned+rebels+%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1
J, you’re right that declaring independence was a long way from achieving it.
Thanks for the lead to what sounds like a fascinating book.
Happy July 4th! My action plan for today is re-reading the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to remind me of all that we take for granted. We are so blessed!
Brenda, being mindful of what we too often take for granted is a good way to spend the day.
My local newspaper prints it every 4th.
One of my favorite things about growing up in Philadelphia was the history. Regular visits and class trips to Independence Hall, where our founding fathers planned and debated. You can feel the magic in the air.
Philip, I was about 15 when I first visited many landmarks that were important to the formation of our country. The sense of history was palpable.
Thanks, Debbie. Let’s celebrate indeed, and teach the children. One thing we can do is show them a coin, which carries our “American trinity”–
Liberty.
In God We Trust.
E Pluribus Unum.
And explain each one. Then they can have a hot dog.
Jim, we handle coins every day but how often do we pay attention to what they say? Thanks for reminding us of the basic foundations.
And enjoy plenty of hot dogs with your children and grandchildren!
Great (and important) post, Debbie. Thanks for reviewing the history, and for the reminder of what our founding fathers did, in the face of great peril and odds stacked against them.
Jim is correct; we must teach our children. We must thank those who have helped maintain our freedom. And WE must fight to maintain our freedom.
Happy Independence Day to you, Debbie, and to all the Kill Zone community.
Let Freedom Ring!
Steve, those 13 scrappy, upstart colonies had no chance of winning against the mighty British empire, yet they did, and here we are today b/c of them.
Happy Independence Day to you and your family!
Excellent article, Debbie. I was surfing around looking for a good quote about freedom this morning, and I found this one by Eleanor Roosevelt:
“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.”
Like BK, I’ll be re-reading the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution today. Have a wonderful 4th of July!
“With freedom comes responsibility.” What a perfect quote, Kay! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Debbie. Fascinating tidbits I’d never heard.
Indeed, we are blessed.
Never forget…
I’d heard of broadsides but didn’t know much about them until I looked deeper for this post.
Happy Independence Day!
Yaay–I’m back on. Grateful for TKZ’s intrepid webmaster, Brian!
Great post, Debbie. What courage it took for those members of the Continental Congress to create a nation based on the then-unheard of notion that every individual is “endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights”. Rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are not bestowed by sovereign governments, but rather they are inherent to each person upon birth. These rights are guarded by governments that are “instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Governments don’t grant anything. They ensure that God-given rights are protected.
“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes . . . But when a long train of abuses and usurpations . . . reduce [the citizenry] under absolute Despotism, it is [the citizens’] right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
The Declaration of Independence closes with words that bring a chill every time I read them: “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.” Where, oh where, has statesmanship gone?
Through “treason” was born the greatest nation in history. But as Benjamin Franklin (courtesy of Sherman Edwards and his terrific musical, “1776”) said, “‘Treason’ is a charge created by winners as an excuse for hanging the losers.”
“…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
Same reaction to those words, John.
Happy Freedom Day!
Thank you, John. Looking back 247 years later from our comfortable armchairs, it’s sometimes hard to understand the terrible risks the founders took. A number of them died destitute b/c they did indeed pledge their fortunes.
Debbie just contacted me. The “Denied for too many attempts” (DFTMA) message has halted Debbie’s ability to post responses to everyone’s comments. She has contacted Brian. Hopefully they will find a solution soon. In the meantime, please respond to each other’s comments. And Debbie will respond as soon as the DFTMA dragon has been vanquished!
I live outside Charlottesville, Virginia. Approximately 10 miles from Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, which I’ve visited many times. I often imagine the man making the trip in his carriage to Philadelphia for the Continental Congress and later, to Washington D.C. for his presidency. He would have traveled right by my house. I might have waved as he passed. Or he might have stopped for a moment to admire the creek where I am fishing and started up a conversation.
“What do you think of this new country of ours?” he’d ask.
“I think it a mighty fine endeavor, sir,” I answer.
“Have you read the declaration broadside?”
“I have indeed.”
“And which part rings the truest for you?”
I think for a moment.
“Where it declares the three rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
He studies me. “And are you happy?”
I look him directly in the eye. “I am indeed, sir.”
After regaining his carriage, Mr. Jefferson gives me a wave as he rides off.
And I wave back.
Returning to the present, I consider the importance of this day. And all the Sturm und Drang that has led us to it. And that continues to roil this experiment of a country. And in the face of all that, I am still happy to be an American.
“And in the face of all that, I am still happy to be an American.”
I couldn’t help but notice that some of the colonists’ grievances sound eerily familiar.
But the statement above holds true for me also. Americans, every one of us, flawed or otherwise, are my peeps.
Harald, what a beautiful, moving scenario you created. Thank you! Also happy to be an American.
Such an important post, Debbie. Those 56 delegates literally put their lives on the line in drafting and signing their declaration, a declaration which belongs to every person, everywhere, who strives to be free. We must remember and honor the sacrifices of all those who made our freedom possible, and gave us the ability to fulfill the potential of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Happy Independence Day.
Dale, your background as a historian and librarian makes you esp. knowledgeable. The more we know about history, the more we appreciate what it takes to earn freedom.
As a Brit (and proud of it) I wish you a happy Independence Day.
And look how far you’ve come:
(Warning – tongue in cheek mode engaged)
Proper spelling is beyond you and take liberties with the language – ” He medaled at the Olympics.” What?
You meddle(sic) in other countries affairs.
You elect an arrogant dimwit as President whose MAGA cry forgets you are already a great county.
All of the above said, I still wish you a happy 4th July.
A friend of ours from England used to wish us Happy Treason Day.
Lynda, always interesting to hear from other countries about what they think of the US. Glad you don’t hold a grudge!
Happy Independence Day!
Debbie, I ❤️ this.
I just got back from our town’s (Winter Park, Florida) 4th of July celebration. One of my friends sang God Bless the USA, the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra also performed. My favorite thing that they do is a medley of service songs. They ask all veterans to stand when their song is played. I stood for our branch (US Air Force). Kona ice, cold water, apple pie, and little flags were available for all. Next to Christmas, this is my favorite holiday.
Getting ready to cook up some burgers and hot dogs.
Wishing you all a great day.
What a wonderful celebration, Cynthia! Thank you, too, for your service . My dad served in the Air Force during the Korean War (stationed in Alaska as a B-29 crew member), and being presented with a flag by a member of the Air Force at his funeral is a treasured memory.
Cynthia, I echo Dale’s thank you for your service. What a fitting way to recognize veterans. Wishing you a delicious cook out and lots of apple pie!
Happy 4th, Debbie! And to all my American cousins!
Thanks, Garry. Guess this was just a regular workday in Canada and hope you accomplished a lot.
The etymology of ‘broadside’ may be of interest. In naval terminology, a broadside was the act of firing all the cannon on one side of the warship in quick succession, as near to simultaneous as feasible.
Thanks for the additional info, J.