The Document That Made Americans Freemen
A historical account recounts how Congress in 1776 assigned Jefferson and Adams to draft the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's draft and Adams's edits, Caesar Rodney’s Delaware vote, and the unanimous colonial path toward liberty. It notes the drafting desk at the State Department, Rodney’s perilous ride, and Philadelphia’s Independence Day celebration with bells and bonfires.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
Fullerton L. Waldo
Philadelphia Ledger
Jefferson
Adams
Massachusetts
North
Congress
Timothy Picering
King George
See ‘Ng
Paul Revere
Phill Sheridan
Delaware
Pennsylvania
State House
Caesar Rodney
Rodney
New York
Lossing
Thomson
Library of the State Department
Washington
Buffalo
McKean
Dover
Tis Farms
Byfield
Poplar Grove
Tie
Philadelphia
Independence
Penn
Changing Ideas About the Fourth of July
The article notes seven states and many city councils ban fireworks on Independence Day. It traces a shift from noisy battles to civic banquets, oratory, and family gatherings, urging a calmer, liberty focused celebration with processions, lectures, and less weaponry.
Key Mansion A New Flag Day Memorial In Georgetown
The Francis Scott Key house in old Georgetown near the Potomac is being restored and opened as a memorial museum. A nationwide fund plan seeks small ten cent subscriptions to acquire and restore the mansion and display relics, including a possible loan of the original Star Spangled Banner.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Francis Scott Key
Old
Georgetown
Potomac
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
George Washington
Admiral Dewey
Admiral Schley
Khey
Mount Vernon
Andrew Jackson
Tennessee
Lincoln
Ilinois
Letsy Ross
Philadelphia
Francis Scott Key Memorial Association
Memorial Association
Key
Heston
Key Mansion
Charlies H. Weisgerber
Philadelpha
Betsy Ross
Quaker City
Punch for the Fourth Lemon Ginger Mint Punch
A recipe from Emma Paddock Telford suggests mixing equal parts ginger ale with each quart of plain lemonade to create lemon ginger punch. Prepare fresh mint by bruising leaves and stems, add sprays to the punch half an hour before serving, ideal for afternoon teas and social gatherings with men present.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Emma Paddock Telford
Indistinct Poem Verses a Youthful Independence Day Joy
The poem contrasts natural scents and celebrated art with a boy's raw delight in fireworks. It names balsam of pines honeysuckle violets landscapes Corot Michael Angelo band music Adena Patt and a giant shooting cracker. The youthful thrill surpasses refined beauty and high culture on Independence Day.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Corot
Michael Angelo
Zazza
Dramatic Coincidence Marks Adams and Jefferson Deaths
The piece notes the semi centennial of the Declaration of Independence and the near-simultaneous deaths of John Adams and James Jefferson. Adams on June 4th chose Independence Forever as his July Fourth toast. Jefferson, dying June 3rd, whispered Is this the Fourth, and died as bells and cannons proclaimed the day.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Adams
James Jefferson
Adams
Jefferson
Also Mentioned on This Page
Liberty
Boston
Charles H. Weisgerber
Union
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!