Technically, it was adopted on the 2nd, but Happy 4th anyway!
Have a safe and happy 4th,remember all who serve.
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands
which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate
and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect
to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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.
That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people
to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles
and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
....
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled,
appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name,
and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, 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;
and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levey war, conclude peace, contract alliances,
establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,
we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
[The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America]
No, the resolution for independence was passed on the 2nd. The final wording of the Declaration was approved on the 4th.
Independence Day
I saw a field of bright white crosses
All in neat little rows
Far into the sunny distance
All the little rows go
Tap, Tap the drum proudly
For the freedom you have won
Tap, Tap the drum
For the peace that you have brung
I see a banner folded tightly
Handed to the grieving rightly
Salute the fallen
With twenty one mightily
Tap, Tap the arms loudly
Red for the enemy’s skin
Tap, Tap the gun
Telling all we shall stand for the flag again