Washington, U.S.A. – The Oneida Indian Nation will announce an extraordinary monetary gift to The American Revolution Center that will support the construction of The Museum of the American Revolution to be built in the historic area of Philadelphia. This gift comes as a response to the $40M challenge grant announced by H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest in June 2012.

The Oneidas were among the very few Native American nations to join forces with the Continental Army, fighting side-by-side with General Washington’s troops in support of American Independence. During the ceremony, The American Revolution Center will honor the Oneida Indian Nation and recognize them for joining Mr. Lenfest and others as Founders of the new museum.

The Museum of the American Revolution will showcase an exceptional collection of Revolutionary-era arms, objects, art, printed work and manuscripts owned by The American Revolution Center, the non-profit educational organization that is building the museum. The museum will tell the complete story of the American Revolution and explore its ongoing legacy. It will act as a hub for the nation’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging explorations that begin at the museum’s doorstep.

The event will be held at Wednesday, July 11, 10:00 AM on The United States Capitol Grounds and will include such respected guests as:

• The Honorable Robert P. Casey, United States Senate
• The Honorable Patrick J. Toomey, United States Senate
• The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, former Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Ray Halbritter, Nation Representative and CEO, Oneida Indian Nation
• H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest, Chairman, The American Revolution Center
• Michael C. Quinn, President and CEO, The American Revolution Center

About the American Revolution Center

The American Revolution Center is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to engaging the public in the history and enduring legacy of the American Revolution. The center will be only a few steps away from Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

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Every year on July 4 Americans invite friends over, barbecue, and go watch fireworks to celebrate their Independence Day from England. Each July 4 is jam-packed with fireworks, carnivals, fairs, barbecues, concerts, picnics, and baseball games that will keep the whole family entertained. This year, with rough economic times still upon us, we could all use a holiday.

The federal holiday was first established as an unpaid holiday in 1870 by Congress. Later, Congress decided to make it a paid holiday in 1938.

The federal holiday on July 4 was established to celebrate the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, history does not concur with popular belief about the day the Declaration was signed.

In 1776 the Continental Congress was already in trouble with England. The American Revolution began April 19, 1775 when a shot was fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. After that George Washington was declared the Commander in Chief of the American forces and the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought. Thomas Paine also wrote his incredibly famous pamphlet “Common Sense” that helped to mobilize the American colonies against England.

John Adams, the representative of the Continental Congress for Massachusetts, had been trying to convince the Congress for some time to get a declaration of independence passed. However, it was not Adams’ proposal but Richard Henry Lee, the representative from Virginia, who delivered a proposal from the Virginian government for the declaration to the Congress. Richard Henry Lee is one of the ancestors of the famous southern General Robert. E. Lee.

A Committee of Five was then formed to create the Declaration that included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, and – of course – Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson wrote the actual words of the Declaration of Independence which were discussed by the Congress.

Congress voted to separate from England on July 2, 1776, not July 4 as many believe, and debated the wording of the document until July 4. Instead, July 4, 1776 was the day that the Declaration was printed by John Dunlap. Dunlap actually printed twenty-four copies of the Declaration of Independence, one of which was a personal copy for George Washington.

The delegates of Congress did not actually begin to sign the Declaration of Independence until August 2, 1776, a long time after the believed July 4 date. The July 4 date was actually a legend that began early in the nation’s history.

Fifty years after the legendary date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, John Adams – the second president of the United States – and Thomas Jefferson – the third – died within hours of each other. Their deaths added to the romantic legend surrounding the July 4 date. Ultimately the legend makes for a far greater holiday and reason to celebrate.

Image Courtesy of  spirit of america / Shutterstock.com

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