Meeting Topics

On July 2, 1776, the 2nd Continental Congress, in session in Philadelphia, ended its debate on whether America should remain a colony of Great Britain or become a new and independent nation. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin reviewed the draft of the Declaration, written by Thomas Jefferson, that stated why America wished to be independent. The document stated:

“Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

In a letter to his wife, Abigail, John Adams wrote how he envisioned the day should be celebrated:

“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.”

But it wasn’t until July 4, 1776, that the delegates to the Continental Congress completed their edits to the Declaration of Independence. The document would not be signed until early August 1776, after Timothy Matlack, a Philadelphia beer bottler with refined penmanship, inscribed it on parchment.

Each of the signers knew full well that by penning their signature to the Declaration of Independence, they were committing treason in the eyes of Great Britain. They were risking their livelihoods, their homes, their possessions, and even their lives.

Benjamin Franklin is famously said to have remarked: “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall hang separately.”

Thus, instead of July 2nd, the 4th of July became America’s birthday. Though the American Revolution would continue for more than five years of intense conflict until the British surrendered at Yorktown in 1781. Not until the Treaty of Paris was signed in September 1783 did American independence become a reality.

On this 4th of July, may we remember the leadership and strategic vision of those great Americans who risked everything for the succeeding generations whom they would never meet. May we recognize that good leadership outlasts the leader. When leaders focus on a mission and vision for the long-term good of the team and create a culture focused on achieving the strategic goals, the mission continues on long after those leaders are gone.

On this 248th anniversary of our Independence Day, may we celebrate as John Adams envisioned, but may we also never forget the vision of our American founding fathers – great leaders who created for us a nation where liberty reigns supreme and do our part so that it may continue for this time and forever more.