FredGrams: A History Of Independence Day (4th Of July)

Go directly to the musical INDEPENDENCE DAY CARDS at FREDGRAMS.COM.

A little historical background regarding Independence Day as a preface to reviewing the vintage musical greeting cards (FREDGRAMS.COM) celebrating this most patriotic of holidays.

Without the courageous Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson and signed by 56 American Founders on July 4, 1776, there would no United States of America. What freedom-loving person can imagine a world without this nation, founded on the intertwined principles of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness as the most cherished wish for each one of us? For those blessed to have been born American citizens and privy to its unimagined gifts, Independence Day is more than a little cause for celebration.

When the first stirrings of revolution against Great Britain began in April of 1775, few Americans were ready for full battle. By June of 1776, sentiments had reached fever pitch, and the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia where a motion was introduced by Virginia’s Richard Henry Lee to draft an official declaration of separation from the Crown. Those appointed to formalize this move on paper were Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, John Adams of Massachusetts, Robert Livingston of New York and Roger Sherman of Connecticut. On July 2, there was a near unanimous vote  in favor of independence (New York abstained but later joined the ayes); and on July 4, a formal Declaration of Independence (mostly penned by Jefferson) was adopted and signed by Congress.

Drawing largely upon the work of English philosopher John Locke, Jefferson had drafted a Declaration of Independence not only from King George III but from tyranny of any sort impeding the God-given rights of the individual:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

This profound principle of human liberty would be followed by a list of specific grievances that had given rise to the break. Ahead lay the struggle and sacrifice of battle, but a nation unlike any the world would ever see had been born.

Annual Independence Day observances became a tradition immediately afterwards and celebrated with even greater passion after America’s second defeat of the British in 1812. July 4th would become a Federal holiday in 1870 and a paid one for Federal workers in 1941.

The courage and sacrifice of those who put their names on this Declaration cannot be overestimated or fully appreciated. Many of those who pledged “our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor” would face financial and personal ruin. Some remain cherished national heroes, fortunate to have lived long enough to see this one great deed come to astonishing fruition. By providential chance, both Jefferson and Adams would die on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the original signing.

At Monticello in late June, 1826, a seriously ill Thomas Jefferson would decline an invitation from Washington to celebrate that 50th anniversary.This final letter from the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence read:

“May it be to the world, what I believe it will be … the signal of arousing men to burst the chains … and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form, which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. …For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.”

There is no better way to “refresh our recollections of these rights,” celebrating Independence Day, America and all she represents than singing her songs, the most beloved of which are available as beautiful vintage musical greeting cards at FREDGRAMS.com.

Go directly to the musical INDEPENDENCE DAY CARDS at FREDGRAMS.COM.

Among FREDGRAMS’ extensive collection of patriotic anthems and songs evocative of midsummer America:

America (My Country ‘Tis Of Thee) (July 4th)

Words by Baptist minister Samuel Francis Smith set to Britain’s “God Save The Queen.” First performed July 4, 1831 at Boston’s Park Street Church. One of a handful of “unofficial” American National Anthems.

America The Beautiful (July 4th)

Words by Wellesley College English professor Katharine Lee Bates, originally entitled “Pike’s Peak” in response to an inspiring trip West by the author. Officially set to Samuel A. Ward’s melody in 1910 as “America The Beautiful,” yet another magnificent “unofficial” American National Anthem.

Dixie (July 4th)

Written & published in 1859 by Northern vaudevillian Dan Emmett, “Dixie” became the rallying cry of the South, the unofficial Confederate Anthem. The origin of the word “Dixie” is attributed either as a reference to all those states below the Mason-Dixon line (dividing Maryland & Pennsylvania)…or to the Southern monetary currency known as a “Dix”(10). The former seems more likely.

God Of Our Fathers (July 4th)

Written in 1876 by Daniel C. Roberts, a Civil War vet and Episcopal priest from Vermont, to commemorate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence.

In The Good Old Summertime (July 4th)

Music by George Evans, words by Ren Shields, an immediate Tin Pan Alley classic introduced in 1902 by musical stage star Blanche Ring.

On The Banks Of The Wabash (July 4th)

Written in 1897 by Indiana native Paul Dresser, brother to novelist Theodore Dreiser. A Tin Pan Alley classic and one of the most recorded songs in the early days of recording. The chorus is an incomparable American pastorale, a romantic reminder of what was a predominantly rural America. For good reason, the official state song of Indiana.

Pledge Of Allegiance, The (July 4th)

Our oath of loyalty to the United States, composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892, revised for the final time in 1954 when the words “under God” were added. The Pledge is customarily recited by citizens holding their right hands over their hearts facing the flag. Non-uniform headgear is removed and held against the left shoulder while uniformed personnel offer the military salute.

Shenandoah (July 4th)

Traditional American folk song describing the unrequited love between a settler and an Indian maiden, a poem of parting. To these ears, it has always provided a majestic evocation of early America in all its untamed natural glory, a new country on the path to every possibility and unimaginable

Simple Gifts: A Midsummer Day’s Dream (Winslow Homer) (July 4th)

Music and words composed in 1848 by Maine Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett (1797-1882). The song first reached audiences outside the Shaker communities through Aaron Copland’s use of it in Martha Graham’s 1944 ballet “Appalachian Spring.” Paintings by New Englander Winslow Homer (1836-1910), painter, illustrator, lithographer. Noteworthy for his pastoral nostalgia and dramatic seascapes, much of it created in his hometown of Gloucester,

Star Spangled Banner (July 4th)

Words by Francis Scott Key, 1814, music by John Stafford Smith based on an old British hymn, “Anacreon.” America’s official national anthem since 1931.

Stars & Stripes Forever, The (July 4th)

Words & Music by John Phillip Sousa, first performed May 14, 1897 at Willow Grove Park in suburban Philadelphia. Perhaps the March King’s most famous march.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame (July 4th)

Lyrics by Jack Norworth, music by Albert Von Tilzer, 1908. Tin Pan Alley standard and the unofficial anthem of the Great American Pastime. First sung by Norworth’s wife Nora Bayes who, with Norworth, also wrote “Shine On, Harvest Moon.” Still traditionally sung during the 7th Inning Stretch.

Yankee Doodle (July 4th)

The unchallenged anthem of the Revolutionary War, the “Spirit of ’76.” Various sources attribute the tune to the old nursery rhyme “Lucy Locket.” The famous first verse is British derision of the hayseed upstart Yankees, but subsequent verses prove the song was commandeered by those upstarts for the cause of Independence. The state song of Connecticut.

Yankee Doodle Boy/Grand Old Flag (July 4th)

Both signature tunes, words & music, for & by George M. Cohan (1878-1942), the singing/dancing/writing/directing/flag-waving stage star of early 20th century America. Actually, born on July 3rd, Cohan’s most enduring legacy is the timeless Hollywood film, “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” starring James Cagney.

Read about the history of more about Independence Day here on this Blog. FREDGRAMS blog.