By Alberto Suris
On Wednesday, July 4, 2018, the 13th celebration of the Fourth of July the Old Fashioned way was held at Lawrence Heritage State Park.
The difference between the traditional and the ancient celebration is that in this one there is no fireworks but participation from the public, where the Constitution is discussed and read by members of the community.
Rich Padova is the Summer Interpreter or guide at Lawrence Heritage State Park and his mission there is to protect, promote and increase our cultural wealth. When the ceremony began after singing the National Anthem, Padova said he was happy to be gathered at the celebration of our nation’s 242th anniversary and went on to give us a brief account of how the Declaration of Independence was written.
“Back in the summer of 1776, it was a harrowing time for the British colonies in America. Open warfare with the mother country had erupted a year earlier, and the future was filled with political and military uncertainties.
In this tense climate, the continental Congress met in Philadelphia with the intention of voting for independence from England. In anticipation of this vote, the Congress selected a committee to draft a declaration of independence.
The committee, composed of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman, in turn, instructed the 33-year-old Thomas Jefferson to write the declaration.
And why Jefferson? Well, in the words of John Adams, Jefferson had the reputation for literature and a happy talent of composition. Adams also said that Jefferson was prompt, frank, explicit and decisive.
In addition, Adams thought that a Virginian should be the one writing the declaration.
Since the resolution of independence had been introduced in the name of Virginia, tradition called for a representative of that colony. Since Jefferson wielded both an inspiring pen and a mind to match, he was a natural choice.
And… one more reason – while Adams described himself as obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular, he believe that Jefferson was very much otherwise – so there you go,” ended Padova.
Immediately, Padova called to form a line to go marching around Heritage State Park. On the way back, we went to the activity room where a group of citizens read the Constitution while enjoying a delicious lunch.
