Saturday, July 4, 2009

Independence Day

"Is it the Fourth?” Those were Jefferson's purported last words, on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. When assured that it was, he apparently felt he had permission to give up the ghost. Five hundred miles away, John Adams was also breathing his last, though not before whispering "Jefferson lives." Alas, he was wrong, for Jefferson has passed a few hours previous. Fifty years to the day, the two men who along with Washington (the greatest American) were most associated with the founding, pass on. Coincidence? Divine providence for a nation which many at the time believed was divinely blessed? You decide. For me, I will give thanks for being born in America, for, as the saying goes, if you were born an American you won life's lottery. We are the greatest country on earth, the greatest nation in the history of the world. I say that without shame or hesitation.

For all you lovers of American history, here's a terrific column about July 4 by the best of all historians of the founding, Joseph Ellis.

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