The following blog was first published on July 4, 2006 and modified on 6-1-2015.

It’s a good thing I decided to change my mind and not “take the day off,” as stated in Bill’s Blog #8. I discovered that it was not posted last night, at midnight, as planned. (Let’s blame it on technology, but I probably hit the wrong key.) Today’s Bell Ringing Ceremony on the steps of the Petaluma Historical Museum & Library was so well attended and the choral music by the “Wings of Glory” so moving, I wanted to add a few more thoughts about our annual 4th of July celebration.

Once, again, our town’s “sense of community” was clearly demonstrated by all the participants and audience. Just before the historic Korbel Bell (our “Liberty Bell’) was struck 13 times to represent the original 13 colonies that eventually signed the American Declaration of Independence that was adopted by our Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, “Mr. Isaac Wickersham” told the crowd about the story of July 4th and its significance. He was followed by “Mr. William Howard Pepper” who focused on the people … the 56 signers of this revolutionary document and what happened to them. As you know they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.Was this the end of the story? No, there’s more …

What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Well, what happened to them? Five signers were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war.

Although July 4th celebrates the day our Declaration of Independence was adopted, the first public reading of the document did not take place until July 8 in Philadelphia (that’s when the ringing of bells took place.) It wasn’t until August 2, that the signatures of these 56 men began to take place. But the significant fact is that none of the signers ever betrayed his pledged word. There were no defectors. No one changed his mind. Even though lives and fortunes were lost, their sacred honor was never sacrificed. Half continued to serve their country after the war – several as President, many as Members of Congress, Governors, and State Legislators. Some also played a role in drawing up the Constitution of the United States.

Happy Fourth of July. Enjoy the picnics, parades, and fireworks; but let’s never forget why this day is one of our most significant national holidays.

Note: The above information and facts were found on various web sites, available on the World Wide Web