The wrong day ???
The Declaration of Independence
Today, the Fourth of July, is known all over the world as America’ Independence Day.
There will no doubt be celebrations to commemorate the day all over the globe – especially wherever there are Americans, such as here in Bishkek and at at the Manas Transit Center … although it’s not clear that they have got mush to celebrate now that the President has signed the law renouncing the 2009 agreement which transformed it from the Ganci Air Force Base. Still, nobody really knows what the future holds, and we’ve seen surprises before, so even if the military contingent is withdrawn in a years time, I doubt that that will mean the end of the American presence here in Bishkek.
So, the celebrations will go ahead – both public and private. I wonder, however, how many people realize that it is almost certainly the wrong day. American Independence from Britain probably dates from either July 2nd, 1776, October 19th, 1781, or September 3rd, 1783.
The fourth of July was chosen as it is supposed to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson. I say “supposed” because, in fact, it is the date it was adopted by the Continental Congress and there is some doubt as to when it was actually signed. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they signed it on that date, most historians now think it was actually signed almost a month later, on August 2nd, 1776.
It was on July 2nd, 1776, that the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution declaring the independence of the United States from Great Britain. It was on this day that America formally declared itself to be an independent nation … not the fourth of July.
There is an argument that this is the true Independence Day. Here in Kyrgyzstan, for example, Independence Day, (Kyrgyzstan’s Independence, that is), is celebrated on 31st August – the day that the Jogorku Kenesh – the Supreme Soviet – adopted the resolution declaring its Independence as a free, sovereign and independent nation – independent from the Soviet Union.
Indeed, President John Adams was so convinced of this that he insisted that this was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and apparently would turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest.
Incidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence
Effectively, however, Independence could be considered to have been finally achieved when the last vestige of British control over their erstwhile American colonies was eliminated and this probably occurred on 19th October, 1781, with General Cornwallis’s surrender to George Washington and his French allies at the siege of Yorktown.
Although there were still some 30,000 British troops in places like New York, Charleston and Savannah, and hostilities continued elsewhere, (Gibraltar, in the East and West Indies), the Cornwallis’s surrender marked the transfer of effective power over the colonies from the British to the Continental authorities.
Formally, however, true Independence can be considered to have been achieved only once it has been publicly acknowledged by the former power who renounce any claims over the territory and the people.
As political support for pursuing the war collapsed in London, forcing the resignation of Lord North – the Prime Minister, MP’s in the House of Commons voted to end the war (in April 1782) … and preliminary “peace articles” signed in Paris (at the end of November, 1782), however the formal peace treaty – the Treaty of Paris – where Britain acknowledged the United States to be a free, sovereign and independent nation and formally relinquishing any claims to the government, property and territory, wasn’t signed until 3rd September, 1783.
Whatever, I suppose one day had to be chosen for the celebrations and commemorations and the anniversary of the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence, 4th July, is probably as good as any other date … carrying with it particularly strong symbolism.
It all goes to show, however, that “nothing in life is simple” … and we would do well to remember that … especially when considering questions like the controversies surrounding, for example, the Kumtor gold mine or the Manas Transit Center. It is tempting, (and, for that matter, relatively easy), to encapsulate complex issues in simplistic but popular terms … but we do need to keep in mind, also, that there are complications.
Whatever, it seems appropriate to congratulate our American friends, if not with their nation’s “Birthday”, at least with their “Independence Day!”
Bishkek