#ben franklin

The American Continental Congress actually voted for and declared independence on July 2nd. John Adams, in a letter to wife Abigail, thought this date would become a special holiday:

But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. 

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. [x]

He was technically right…just off by two days! July 4th was the date written on the final copy of the Declaration, and it stuck. The signing was staggered, complicated by the fact that all the delegates were never in the same room at the same time. Most signed on August 2nd, but the last signature was not placed until 1777. [x]

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My submission for Francoise Mouly, Nadja Spiegelman, and Gabe Fowler’s RESIST! political comic newspaper baby.  Copies of RESIST! launch today, please see their website to find distribution points in your neck of the woods. Also, prints are available of this image with 50% of proceeds going to the ACLU. Visit here to grab that.