Happy Birthday America!

On this day we celebrate our nations claim to independence. It was the day that an idea born in the hearts of men, took wings and was given flight.

This, then, is the state of the union:  free and restless, growing and full of hope.  So it was in the beginning.  So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith. ~Lyndon B. Johnson

I found this time line of American Independence here.

1774

Sept 5-Oct 26 1774: First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia.  There were 56 delegates representing each colony except Georgia.

1775

Feb 1:  In Cambridge, MA John Hancock and Joseph Warren begin to prepare for war. 

Feb. 9:  English Parliament declares MA in a state of rebellion.

March 23:  Patrick Henry delivers his famous speech where he states, "Give me liberty or give me death."  "It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, “Peace! Peace!”—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
March 30:  King George again oversteps and the New England Restraining Act is born. 

April:  MA appointed Kings Governor Gage is ordered to suppress open rebellion by colonist using whatever force was necessary. 

April 18:  Gage orders 700 British soldiers to Concord to destroy any weapons the colonist may have in a depot there.  This is the night of the now famous midnight ride of Paul Revere and William Dawes. 

Dawn April 19:  About 70 armed MA militiamen stand on the village green and thus begins the revolutionary war with the "shot heard around the world" and so it was...

April 23:  Provincial Congress in MA orders almost 14,000 American troops mobilized.

May 10:  Fort Ticonderoga in New York captured for the colonist.  On this day the second continental Congress also convenes, John Hancock was elected president. 

May 15:  Congress places the colonies in a state of defense.

June 15:  George Washington appointed general and commander-in-chief of the newly formed Continental Army.

June 17:  The Battle of Bunker Hill.

June 5:  Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition.  This was later refused by King George III. 

July 6:  Continental Congress issues a declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms and states the Americans are "resolved to die free men rather than live as slaves."

1776

Jan. 5:  New Hampshire state Assembly adopts the first American state constitution.

March 4-17:  British evacuate Boston and sail for Halifax.  Washington goes to New York. 

May 2:  King Louis XVI of France offers support in the tune of 1 million dollars.  Spain steps in as well. 

June 7:  Richard Henry Lee of VA presents a formal resolution calling for America to declare her independence. 

June 11: Congress appoints a committee to draft a declaration.  The drafters are Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Livingston, and Roger Sherman. 

July 4:Congress formally endorses the declaration. Actual signing occurred on August 2.

And so it goes.....  you can read about the many battles and hardships faced from this moment forward as men and women (of all colors) fought for independence.  A dream borne by men enslaved by a tyrannical government gave birth to a nation.  In our hearts that same blood flows.  While we may celebrate with hot dogs, apple pie, and homemade ice-cream today, we also remember all those that had a dream long ago and what that dream meant and still means today. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA