It's July and we will once again celebrate the 4th of July! Why? We will do so because on that day the Declaration of Independence was approved which says that because of all the things that Britain had done to the colonies, the colonies would now be free, independent states.
Independence was actually declared on July 2, 1776 at the Pennsylvania State House. After arguing about it and making some changes, the Continental Congress approved the Committee of Five's proposed Declaration to that effect. So, as a victory to their independence speech, they used this document to announce their declaration. Two days later, on July 4, 1776 with New York abstaining, twelve of the thirteen delegations to the Continental Congrass approved and ordered the printing of the Declaration.This version was signed only by the President of the Congress John Hancock (as attested by Secretary Charles Thomson). On July 19, 1776, four days after the New York delegation's concurrence which made unanimous the voice of Congress, the Declaration's title was ordered changed from "A Declaration of the Representatives of the United States of America in General Congress assembled" to "the unanimous declaration of the thirteen United States of America". On August 2, 1776 a parchment paper copy of the Declaration was signed by many of the eventual 56 delegates to do so. Many of these signers were not present when the original Declaration was adopted on July 4. One signer, Matthew Thornton, from New Hampshire, who agreed to the Declaration and having joined the Continental Congress, signed on November 4, 1776.
When the king of Great Britain, King George III, and Parliament heard about this they were angry. Great Britain and the people in America had already been fighting in a war called the American Revolution. America won the war, and in 1783 Great Britain had to recognize the independence of the new country, the United States, at the Treaty of Paris. America then made a new democratic government to govern them.
The people of America know that the Declaration of Independence is very important. Every year on the day of July 4th, they have the holiday that is named "Independence Day," the day that America declared her independence from the tyranny of King George III and Great Britain. We celebrate this holiday to remember the day that the Declaration was approved, and the day that the United States of America proclaimed to its freedom to be her own country. Americans also know the Declaration of Independence is very important because it presents the simple ideas that the people who started the United States believed in. It says that every person in this U.S is "created equal" with rights (of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) and that this government has to listen to its own people. These things were what made America a free and independent nation!
Now, let me ask you a question. Have you ever made a declaration of independence to seek your freedom from the bondage and chains of sin and the tyranny of the tyrant Satan? If not, why not? I made that declaration on May 27, 1970! I turned to God in full belief in the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, repented of my sins, publicly confessed my faith in Jesus as the Son of God and Lord of my life, was baptized by Glen Matthews in the waters of the Mud River at Howell's Mill Christian Assembly in Ona, WV, and "won the victory"! I had declared and won my freedom from the tyrant Satan! I was free and still am, praise God! What about you? Have you declared and won your victory of freedom in Christ?
In His Loving Service,
Vernon