In the spring of 1776, the Continental Congress had a hard decision to make.  The colonies had been under British rule and the battles were raging.  The Patriots were prepared to seperate from British authority, to declare their independence.  The Loyalist said no.  They saw the benefits to staying under British rule.  The Patriots saw the kings a a hard hearted pharaoh.  The American people were divided.

In May 1776, Massachusetts and Virginia voted for independence.

And yet, the Continental Congress delegates were still divided.

In June 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia formally proposed that Congress declare independence.

John Adams seconded the proposal.

Congress now had to vote on the proposal.  As the delegates from the middle colonies returned to their homes to discuss with their people, Thomas Jefferson began working on the draft for the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America…appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World…do…Publish and declare, that these United Colonies are…Free and Independent States…And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on teh Protection of divine Providence, we…pledge to each other our Lives, Our fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

On June 28, Maryland voted for independence.  New Jersey was sending delegates who would vote yes.

Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted no.

New York did not vote.

Delaware’s 2 delegates were split.

Delaware was the key state.

The 2 Delaware delegates at the convention were split, but there was a third delegate.  Caesar Rodney was at home in Delaware, sick with cancer.

A messenger was sent to get him for the vote in Philadelphia the next day.

Rodney hopped on his horse, gallopping furiously to cover the distance to Philadelphia as quickly as possible.  He rode through the cold rains and fierce winds.

He realized that his vote could make the difference.

He also realized that by taking a stand on this issue, he would destroy any hope he had for curing the cancer raging in his body.  The only doctore who could help him lived in London.

When he arrived in Philadelphia the next day, 2 people carried the exhausted man into the assembly hall.

“My people favor independence,” Rodney declared. “I agree with them.  I vote dor independence.”  Rodney slumped into a chair.

Eleven other colonies joined Jew Jersey and voed in favor of independence.  New York did not vote.

The 13 colonies had now become the United States of America.

Samuel Adams rose to his feet and announced, “We have put God back in His proper place.  He reigns in heaven.  May His Kingdom come.”

The date was July 4, 1776.

As we celebrate our nation’s birthday today, may we remember the cost of becoming a nation and honor the God who made us that nation.

Taken from The Light and the Glory for Children by Peter Marshall and David Manuel.