“WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”

John Hancock, President of Congress was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence, writing his name in large, plain letters and saying:

“There! John Bull can read my name without spectacles. Now let him double the price on my head, for this is my defiance”

Then he turned to the other members, and solemnly declared:

“We must be unanimous. There must be no pulling different ways. We must all hang together”

“Yes” said Franklin, quaintly. “we must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately”

There were 58 members of the 2nd continental congress. On July 1st, 1776 12 of the 13 Colonies voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee’s motion of independence (New York had to get permission). After 2 days of revising the language, congress and all 13 colonies officially adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. Later to be signed by 56 of the 58 members. The 2nd continental congress knew their fate that day, war was inevitable. Yet each and every one of them placed their individual freedom above their own lives, and in so doing, placed our freedom, and the freedom of our country, right there alongside their own.

For 238 years, men and women, daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, family, friends, and people we will never know, have been defending our freedoms with the same resolve, the same dedication, and the same sacrifice as the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were willing to make that fateful July 4th afternoon in Philadelphia. As we all gather this weekend with family, friends, and loved ones, take a moment to remember the anniversary of our independence, and our forefathers who made our freedoms possible. More importantly, those who have served to preserve our freedoms…. our Lives, our Liberty, and all that is ours to cherish

We all have someone to remember and to thank, and in special recognition, lets join in honoring all of our neighbors, friends and family having served and assumed a post in the defense and preservation of our freedom. Most humbly…Thank you! authored by Tom Tolworthy, CEO Twinlab