In a new paperback edition released this month, author and historian Peter de Bolla explores the ritual and mythology of American Independence Day. The Fourth of July and the Founding of America traces the the holiday's history, from 1776 through the Civil War, the Cold War and the present.
Book Editor Colette Bancroft of the St. Petersburg Times takes note: "With July 4 coming up, a new book looks at the nation's past. The Fourth of July and the Founding of America: The Shocking Truth Behind the Birth of Our Country (Overlook) by Peter de Bolla is a historian's take on what the holiday really represents. Think it commemorates the day the Declaration of Independence was signed? Think again!"
"Peter de Bolla of King's College, Cambridge is fascinated by Americans' fascination with the fact, such as it is, that their country had, as few nations can claim, an "originative moment." But what, and when, was it? The Declaration of Independence was not signed that day by the 56 persons whose signatures would eventually adorn it. Perhaps no one signed it that day; the evidence is murky. Still, uncountable millions believe otherwise because they have seen John Trumbull's painting, in the U.S. Capitol's rotunda, depicting
Thomas Jefferson, at the center of six colleagues, holding "his" Declaration on July 4, as though for signing. That Congress actually did that day was agree to print and publish the Declaration authorized two days earlier. So, was July 2 what de Bolla calls the "punctual moment"?
John Adams thought that day "will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America." That was voted on July 2 was, however, really decided on July 1. But on June 28, Congress considered Jefferson's draft of the Declaration, so was the die then cast? Or was it cast on June 10, when Congress voted that "a committee be appointed to prepare a declaration"?
The Declaration was first actually declared -- read aloud to a crowd (at the State House, now Independence Hall) -- on July 8. De Bolla says that unlike certain events, such as an earthquake or the beheading of a monarch, the birth of a nation has "a different kind of temporality," one constructed as a tradition. This is true even of the United States, which did not, like Germany and France, emerge over millennia from history's mists.
Fifty years later, less than two months before his (and John Adams's) death on July 4, 1826, Jefferson was determinedly protective of his reputation as "author" (he directed his tombstone to declare this) of the Declaration. Still, he candidly acknowledged that it "was intended to be an expression of the American mind," not "aiming at originality of principle or sentiment." Hence, "all its authority rests then on the harmonizing sentiments of the day."
What de Bolla calls "the intricate history of the nation's founding document" does not and should not inhibit Americans from asserting the truth that their nation originated on July 4, 1776. They hold that to be a self-evident truth, which means they have decided to believe it, thereby making it a self-validating tradition. So there."
by Lewis Eron
When did we leave Egypt
And when did Egypt leave us?
When were the chains of slavery broken
And when did we finally truly feel free?
Freedom came in steps
It was part of the journey
From Egypt to Canaan
Our people took
And we can still take.
Freedom is courage and hope and clear vision
Freedom is walking to places we can’t see
Freedom in knowing that we can find food in the desert
Freedom is feeling safe though our houses are booths.
Freedom is choosing good rules to live by
And freedom is singing our very own song.
So with Moses and Miriam and all those who went with them
With all those before us who brought us to today
We still sing these words, our first words of freedom
'Freedom is having no sovereign but God.'
Poetry Friday roundup at In Search of Giants
Happy Independence Day!
2.5 x 3.5
Prismacolor! on board
ebay
Well well well. Prismacolors, what a surprise. This was done with a French Grey 90%.
I've never liked Prismacolors all that much. They're too soft. This one broke twice while I was doing this piece (it broke in the sharpener) and I ended up using almost one whole pencil just on this little illustration. I mean, c'mon.
I've come to the conclusion that nothing on earth will ever 'do it' for me like my Polychromos, but I'm still glad to know what's out there.
I do like this color though for a warmer alternative to black.
And I don't know what this bondage thing is I have going on. I don't think I'll analyze it.
To see all the Yarn pieces in this series side-by-side, please go here. Or visit my ebay store to see which are available for sale.
All images and content herein are © Paula Pertile and may not be used or reproduced without permission.
In a new paperback edition released this month, author and historian Peter de Bolla explores the ritual and mythology of American Independence Day. The Fourth of July and the Founding of America traces the the holiday's history, from 1776 through the Civil War, the Cold War and the present.
and..HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO YOU TOO!!!! I hope you have wonderful day filled with happiness and love and freedom and just plain goodness.
Cheerio,
Traci
One for the copybook - thanks!
That's a great one. Same to you!
WHOOO! Yeah, baby. THAT is going to be my independence day poem every year for the next fifty-five. Thanks for sharing the freedom.
WOW....I too am in love with this poem!! THANKS so much for sharing!!!
Happy (late!!) Independence day!