Hello, thank you for joining me today for Give Him 15. The title of today's post is

Today's Heroes. 248 years ago on July 2nd, 1776, the second Continental Congress passed the resolution for independence, declaring the freedom of America's 13 colonies from Great Britain.

Two days later, on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence, which officially announced and explained the case for independence was approved.

On Wednesday, July 3rd, the day after the resolution, John Adams sent the following message to Abigail.

Quote, the second day of July, 1776, will be a memorable epic

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.

Remember that tomorrow.

It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires,

and illuminations, or fireworks, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time

forward forever.

You will think me transported with enthusiasm, Adam said, which would be you would think me ecstatic.

But I am not. I am well aware of the toil, blood, and treasure, that it'll cost us to maintain this

declaration and support and defend these states. Yet, through all the gloom,

I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means,

and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not.

Adams was spot on, though Celebration Day turned out to be the fourth, the day the day the Declaration

of Independence was formally approved.

Tomorrow we will celebrate, just as he predicted. He is also right, or he was also right, about

the blood, toil, and treasure it would cost to maintain the declaration.

...