If not for 18th Century formalities, I'd have the day off today!

"The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. . . . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

Those were the words our second president John Adams used in a letter to his wife Abigail after the Continental Congress adopted a resolution to declare American independence from Great Britain.

That's right, the SECOND of July. NOT the fourth.

Unfortunately, 18th Century society was bogged-down by formalities. And, they had to wait a few days for Thomas Jefferson to submit a "clean copy" for everybody to sign.

You can read the whole story at the National Archives web page devoted to the subject at:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/declarat.html

Just think, we could've had a nice long three-day weekend instead of having Independence Day inserted in the middle of the week!

Oh, well, take 'em as you can get 'em, I guess . . .