Caesar Rodney

by Sandy Keathley
 
Happy Birthday, America!  This will be short today, as I have a lot to do.

Today is the 238th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a remarkable document indeed. We were the first colony in history (to my knowledge) to successfully fight for, and win, independence from the mother country.

To celebrate this event, I recommend two action items for you, one easier, one harder. The easy one: Google Caesar Rodney, the greatest hero you never heard of. A delegate to the 2nd Continental Congress, he fell very ill, and went home to Delaware to die.  When his vote on the Declaration became crucial, he got off his deathbed and rode 70 miles on horseback through a driving rainstorm to cast his vote (NOTE: he was not as ill as was believed, and subsequently lived another 8 years).  Without his effort, there might not be an America today.

The other action is a little harder, but well worth it. Rent (on video) the musical "1776". I own it, and watch it every year around this time.  It was written by a musician who had done arrangements for "The Beachboys", and who did extensive research into the history of the Revolution. Besides great music, it has a history lesson that all Americans should know. If you watch it, you will never again see American history in the same way.