Hicksville High School Hicksville, New York
| The Editors: | |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Bob Casale '61 | Linda (Piccerelli) Hayden '60 |
| Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll '56 | Bob (Gleason) Wesley '61 |
To contact the editors, email
In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets. The battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war.
By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.
To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!."
The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after its inscription -
Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof
And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. And although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for all to see and enjoy.
Hi Everyone,
Enjoyed reading the latest newsletter. I am sending this announcement of my art show that will run for two months, June through August. I am exhibiting 23 items in this show.
Helen (Penner) Ackerman, '56
The Schacknow Museum of Fine Arts
7080 NW 4th Street
Plantation, FL 33317
Tel: (954) 583-5551
www.smofa.com
Honoring our Veterans
I support our troops wherever our sometimes short sighted politicians may sometimes send them, 100%, but I thought that story about the teacher in Arkansas was pointless flag waving. I am sure this will not be a popular point of view since I raised this with some of the editorial staff before. About the story itself - I think there are much more productive ways for a teacher to impress upon school children the importance and gravity of sacrifices the citizens of the United States - mostly young people who have not yet lived even half a life - make when this country goes to war. I would hope they are trying to teach the children the importance of electing politicians who are responsible for the guys and gals who may not be around to carry a desk, or may not have limbs left to do that on their return.
And while we are thinking about those sacrifices, let's not forget the sacrifice of those left behind to wait, sometimes to grieve, or to raise children as a single parent. I also hope they still teach them why it is necessary to go to war, and why the cost of that in human life, makes the decision to go to war something that should not be undertaken in haste or anger. The newsletter is great and it is a great reminder of where we all came from. But sometimes the flag waving seems to provide a simplistic perspective on a complex issue. I believe all thinking Americans appreciate what our soldiers are doing, and the sacrifices they have made in every war, police action or (what did we call Grenada?) skirmish. But supporting the troops must include not abusing that loyalty and trust by committing troops to foreign wars imprudently. It would be great if some of the veterans and graduates of HHS would send in their own remembrances. Why don't you ask them to contribute? Tim Donovan
