Should Independence Day Be Extended?

John Adams once wrote to his wife Abigail, "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival." July 2nd? The authors of Inside the Apple remind us that America actually declared its independence from Great Britain today. Before you clock out, however, they also add that "only 12 of the 13 original colonies had voted to declare independence on July 2—the delegates from the thirteenth colony, New York, did not feel they had been invested with such power and retreated from Philadelphia to discuss their options. Meanwhile, on July 4, the Continental Congress agreed to print the Declaration." On July 9th a copy arrived here, where George Washington's troops were stationed, and it was on that day that New York agreed to be the thirteenth and final colony to declare independence. And yes, this totally means we should celebrate Independence Week from July 2nd to 9th! Someone draft a petition, it's what Thomas Jefferson would have done. In the meantime, check out the Beach Boys rocking Central Park on July 2nd, 1967.