Tag: Declaration of Independence

14-26 Annual July 4th Show | How Presidents Celebrated July Fourth

14-26 Annual July 4th Show | How Presidents Celebrated July Fourth

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Show 14-26 Summary: It’s our annual 4th of July show! With our annual guest, amateur historian Greg Leo. This year our main focus is on how Presidents celebrated July Fourth down through the years. One didn’t. And one president may have died because of his Independence Day celebrations. And be sure to tune in to hear about one of history’s largest bar tabs. Because our founding fathers definitely knew how to celebrate freedom. As always, there’s always lots more to discuss—including the big 250th anniversary coming up in 2026, just two short years away.

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Original Air Dates: June 29th & 30th, 2024 | Guest: Greg Leo

This Week – How Presidents Celebrated July Fourth

It’s our annual Fourth of July show! Down through the years we have look at the history of Independence Day, how it’s been celebrated and the traditions that have come down to us even from those early celebrations. We’ve looked at July 4th on the Oregon trail. We’ve examined the Declaration of Independence itself and the rights and grievances lodged against the king. We’ve looked at the signers of the declaration. And two years ago we took an in-depth look at George Washington who was so very central to America’s independence.

But it’s not always been easy. And there have been celebrations even in dark, turbulent times in American history. Like the Civil War. And the first 50 years, because there was a lot of doubt America would even make it that far.

This year, being a presidential election year, we’re looking at how presidents celebrated Independence Day.

Want more? Because there’s always so much to talk about we feel like we only scratched the surface. so if you’d like to find out more about how presidents celebrated Independence Day, be sure to check links and information section below.

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Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Greg Leo is a public affairs consultant, working with governments, tribes, businesses, and individuals. If you need help in that area, contact him via greg@TheLeoCompany.com

How Presidents have Celebrated Independence Day

America at 250: The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

Mentioned/Related/Additional Fourth of July Links

 

 

 

Annual Fourth of July Show: The Hand of Providence on George Washington
12-26 Fourth of July – George Washington and the Incredible Hand of Providence

12-26 Fourth of July – George Washington and the Incredible Hand of Providence

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Show Summary: It’s that time of year again: it’s our annual Fourth of July celebration. This year, we are looking back at the Guy, George Washington who got us through the war. Let’s face it. If we hadn’t won the war, the Declaration would have been just an interesting but failed experiment; a side note in history. This week, it’s a fascinating look at a man who was truly born for his time, and had the eternal Hand of Providence on him so many times that his life and what he accomplished was truly a miracle.

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Original Air Dates: June 25, 2022 | Guest: Greg Leo 

This Week – Our 12th Annual Fourth of July Show

How has it been 12 years already? Time flies when you’re keeping an eye on big government I guess, but every year we focus on the Fourth of July and events around it that make the founding of this great country so unique and special.

Previously, we’ve focused on such things as celebrating the Fourth down through History, what those early celebrations looked like. The Declaration of Independence itself, the rights and grievances listed therein. Celebrating the Fourth on the Oregon Trail, the Fourth of July during the Civil War, the first 50 years, major anniversaries, and others. And last year’s focus on the some of the signers of the Declaration (and its predecessor petition).

Looking for something fun and unique to do this Fourth? Celebrate an old fashioned Independence Day at the Newell House at historic Champoeg Park, the birthplace of Oregon. This free event includes a patriotic program with music, food, and a home-baked pie contest and auction.

George Washington

But for this year’s Fourth of July show, we are focusing on the guy. George Washington. The guy who won the war and without whom America might never have existed. Except for a brief, failed attempt at freedom. Squashed by a ruthless king.

We look at his early years, his rural upbringing that often left him feeling inadequate in high society, his involvement in the French and Indian War—which made him a celebrity on both sides of the Atlantic—and the continual Hand of Providence on his life that saved him time and again.

And, naturally, we look at his Revolutionary War accomplishments. His defeats and his victories. And how he persevered through both. We look at his personal struggles too, including getting through the deep betrayal of Benedict Arnold, which Washington blamed himself for and nearly quit.

Tune in to hear about America’s quintessential hero. The man for his time. And a man even King George III came to admire.

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Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

We have lots of information for you on George Washington! Be sure especially to check out the Mount Vernon and the Washington Papers sites. But, really, these are all fantastic.

General George Washington Links (as in “general”)

George Washington – French and Indian War

  • Washington: The Soldier Through the French and Indian War (via US History.org)
  • George Washington’s forays into the Ohio country shaped his career and sparked a global war (via Mount Vernon)
  • Excellent summation about Washington’s involvement in French and Indian War (via Mount Vernon)

George Washington: Revolutionary War

  • Super cool! Washington’s Revolutionary War Itinerary (via the Washington Papers)
  • List of Revolutionary War Battles George Washington was at (via Mount Vernon)*While there were over 230 skirmishes and battles fought during the American Revolution, these are the battles General Washington was present for.
  • Washington wins first major US victory at Trenton (via History.com)
  • Washington Biography: Victory, Defeat, Misery, Stalemate: the Early War Years (via SparkNotes)
  • Revolutionary War Battles (via Mount Vernon)
  • General George Washington led the American army to victory during the Revolutionary War (via Mount Vernon)
  • Appointment as Commander in Chief (via Mount Vernon)
  • As Commander in Chief (via Thimbles and Acorns)
  • Another perspective on Washington as the Commander in Chief (via US History.com)
  • George Washington’s Final Command (via Boundary Stones)
    • Did you know Washington was recruited one last time by President Adams to be commander-in-chief?

Timelines for George Washington

Facts Lists for George Washington

  • Key Facts About George Washington (via Mount Vernon)
  • George Washington’s Surveying Career (via Mount Vernon)
  • Top 10 Facts about George Washington (via TheTopTens)
  • 5 Facts About George Washington (via Colonial Williamsburg)
  • 10 Facts About George Washington (via ThoughtCo.com)
  • 11 Little-Known Facts About George Washington (via History.com)
  • Four Uplifting Facts About the Personality of George Washington (by Lioness Rue at Medium.com)
  • 11 Surprising Facts About George Washington You Never Learned In School (via Reader’s Digest)
  • 27 Facts That Paint America’s First President In A New Light (All That’s Interesting)
    • Some myths and more: cherry trees, wooden teeth, but true facts too
  • 47 Interesting Facts About George Washington That You Should Know (via The Fact File)
  • 10 Things You Really Ought to Know about George Washington (via Mount Vernon)
    • Like that he was mostly self-educated, fearless in battle, was the first to sign the Constitution, and more
  • 10 Major Accomplishments of George Washington (Learnodo-Newtonic.com)
    • accomplishments in a nutshell, French and Indian War, and Washington’s accomplishments in the Revolution
  • George Washington (via Britannica)

 

signers of the declaration of independence. Who they were, what led them to be there.
Annual 4th of July Show! Getting to the Declaration, It’s Signers

Annual 4th of July Show! Getting to the Declaration, It’s Signers

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Show Summary: The Declaration of Independence was the third, this-time-we-mean it appeal to the King. We look at the others and why they failed. We often talk about the Founding Fathers but we don’t often talk about the Founding Fathers. What led them to be there? Did you know some weren’t supposed to be there? Join us for this special look into the Signers’ lives, sacred honor, and fortunes—before and after they signed.

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Original Air Dates: June 26 & 27 and July 3rd & 4th, 2021 | Greg Leo

This week: It’s our 11th Annual Fourth of July Show! In the past, our shows focused on celebrating the Fourth of July down through the years and what those celebrations looked like. In the then-frontier of the Midwest. On the Oregon Trail at Independence Rock. The big 50th Anniversary. And, among other things, we’ve looked at the Declaration of Independence itself. The key phrases and the history behind them.

Our guest every year for these annual shows is Greg Leo, a political and business consultant by day but his true love is American history. Especially our early history and the events of our founding.

This year, our special focus is on the previous appeals that led to the final, bold statement: The Declaration of Independence.

Leading up to the Declaration: The Olive Branch Petition

Did you know that the Declaration of Independence was not the first appeal to the King? There were two others that could be considered forerunners to the Declaration. We focus on the Olive Branch Petition.

And we take a look at the First Continental Congress and their two main accomplishments. Do you know whose idea a continental congress was in the first place?

The Second Continental Congress, the same one that sent the Declaration of Independence, sent the Olive Branch Petition to the King, in an attempt to avert war. By then, there had been shots fired and people killed at the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Thomas Jefferson did a first draft but Congress considered it too inflammatory. So they turned to John Dickinson, known as the “penman of the revolution” to soften the tone.

Tune in to hear why it didn’t work. Was it inadvertently sabotaged by one of the Declaration’s signers?

“United”? Not Quite

There were some 65 delegates to the 2nd Continental Congress. But a quick count shows only 56 signers. What happened there?

Well. While we often see the Founding Fathers as a united front, getting there wasn’t easy. And it definitely wasn’t always united. We talk to Greg Leo about the divisions and some delegates who had to be replaced to get to that united.

The Signers of the Declaration of Independence

This year we focus on some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. We hear about them pledging their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor. And they really meant it. All of them were truly putting everything on the line.

But what led them to be there?

And did you know that some of them weren’t even supposed to be there? One was a substitute for the serving President of the Second Continental Congress but played a key role in the Declaration itself.

With 56 signers, and only a one-hour show, we couldn’t focus on all of them. But we do focus on:

  • John Hancock – you know him for his signature. Why so big? But how did this late arrival end up being the President of the Second Continental Congress? Did you know that in many ways he was the Donald Trump of the Revolution?
  • John Morton – I know. Who? You’ve probably never heard of him but he was the key vote. He was also the first signer to die.
  • Button Gwinnett — The second signer to die but not from what you might think. This signer embodied the idea of sacred honor.
  • Samuel Adams — Most people think of him for beer. Except he wasn’t a brewer. What else don’t you know about him? He was
  • John Adams — A creature of politics and a rival to many. Most famously to Thomas Jefferson over states’ rights vs. powerful federal government. Hear about his intercepted letter.
  • Thomas Jefferson — The workhorse who wrote most of the Declaration. A complicated and conflicted man for sure but how’d he get to the 2nd Continental Congress in the first place?
  • Charles Carroll – the very last of the signers of the Declaration of Independence to die. Imagine the changes he saw in the 56 years after the signing.

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Links and Info on the Signers of the Declaration

Some Signers We Just Couldn’t Get To

  • Joseph Hewes – A successful Businessman who put it all on the line. He was a merchant and had quite a few ships and was the “go-to expert” in Congress for maritime issues. He placed his ships at the service of the Continental Armed Forces. And he served Congress as the Secretary of the Naval Affairs Committee until 1779, when he fell ill.
  • Thomas Lynch Jr. – He was commissioned a company commander in the South Carolina regiment in 1775. … He fell ill shortly after signing the Declaration and retired from the Congress. At the close of 1776 he and his wife sailed for the West Indies. The ship disappeared and there is no record of his life after.
  • Richard Stockton – He was captured and tortured: “New Jersey was overrun by the British in November of ’76, when he was returning from the mission. He managed to move his family to safety, but was captured and imprisoned by the British. Originally, he was taken to Perth Amboy where he was jailed. Stockton was then moved to Provost Prison in New York where he was intentionally starved and subjected to freezing cold weather. Died of lip cancer before the war was finished
  • George Taylor – A bit of a quirky story. He actually arrived too late to vote for independence but signed the Declaration.
  • John Witherspoon – One of two ministers to sign, though the other (Lyman Hall) was also a physician

 

facts in the declaration of independence. Our founder's case for independence.
Facts in the Declaration | The Case for Independence

Facts in the Declaration | The Case for Independence

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Show Summary: Most people know the parts in the Declaration that talk about unalienable human rights, endowed by their Creator. But it also outlined the tyranny of the King, and gave 27 facts for independence. What’s this now about charters and trials in diverse places…? We look at the facts in the Declaration: our Founders’ case for independence

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Air Dates: June 29 & 30, 2019 and July 6 & 7 | Greg Leo 

We love the Fourth of July! Independence Day. It’s like Christmas for patriots. And it’s our annual Fourth of July show — with our “in house” historian, Greg Leo.

Every year, we look a different aspect of Independence Day. Last year we looked at how America survived divisiveness in the past (that show was in the middle of the Mueller investigation into Russia collusion. We looked at the Fourth of July in America’s first 50 years — when our country very nearly didn’t survive.

But this year we take a deeper look at the document that started it all: the Declaration of Independence, and especially the facts in the Declaration as our Founders made the for Independence. And against tyranny.

The Facts in the Declaration of Independence

Most people remember the parts in the Declaration that talk about unalienable human rights, endowed by their Creator. But it also outlined the tyranny of the King, And our Founders gave 27 facts for independence. Facts like, the Kings has removed their charters and holding “mock trials in diverse places.”

While the beauty of the Declaration of Independence lies in its big ideas, it’s embrace of a universal truth—that all men are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights—the Declaration was a legal case against the tyranny of the King.

In a beautiful bit of philosophical and legal poetry, the Declaration held the freedom and liberty intended for mankind, as given by God Himself, up against the utter despotism and tyranny as embodied in a man—the King of England.

While the politicians and theologians could argue for or against the ideals in the Declaration (many in England—and even in the Colonies—still believed in the “Divine Right of Kings”), the facts in the Declaration were presented as indisputable evidence of tyranny. And it’s a fight that never ends.

The Case for Independence

We talk with Greg Leo, a historian and our annual guest for the Fourth, about what the King was doing for the Founders to include the facts that they did as arguments for independence.

For example, what do you know about the King “taking away our charters”? Or refusing to pass “Laws of immediate and pressing importance”? Or  calling together “legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant“? And  what’s this about “mock trials”? We look at these and some of the perhaps more obscure facts in the Declaration, and our Founders case for Independence.

And don’t miss our discussion about the “deleted paragraph.” This was a paragraph that appeared in the early draft of the Declaration but was removed. Find out why Jefferson was pressured to remove it.

Echoes of the Founders’ Fight for Freedom

Also on this year’s Fourth of July show, you’ll hear echoes of our Founders ‘ struggle against tyranny with what is happening here in Oregon, across the country, and around the world. The fight for freedom never ends and every generation must pick up the torch.

Here in Oregon, a group of Republican senators walked away from tyranny when the Democrat super majority and Democrat governor refused to listen to their concerns about a massive new tax on Oregonians. The carbon cap and trade bill (HB 2020). They realized they had no other choice but to walk out and deny the majority a legislative quorum. The governor’s response? In her best imitation of King George III, she called out the police to arrest them.

Yes. Here in Oregon, our governor wanted to arrest her political opposition.

Timber Unity Rally

Rural Oregon Patriots showed up by the thousands at the Timber Unity Rally in Salem
Rural Oregon patriots showed up by the thousands to defend their way of life at the Timber Unity Rally in Salem

But the people rose up. Thousands of rural Oregonians, who were tired of Portlanders telling them what they could or couldn’t do with their land. Or how to run their business. Even what they can do for business. There is no better environmentalist than a farmer. And rural Oregonians are tired of big city environmentalist-wannabes telling them they know better about the environment. And that rural Oregonians are the ones who should be taxed for Portlander’s environmental schemes.

Hey, at least King George never wanted to tax the air the colonists breathed. But I bet he would have loved a carbon tax.

Old-Fashioned Independence Day

Looking for something a little different to do on the Fourth of July? Enjoy an old-fashioned Independence Day at historic Champoeg Park (pronounced “shampoo-ee”). Music, food, and history! From 2:30 – 6 p.m., with the program going from 4–6 p.m., giving you plenty of time to enjoy a taste of history and still get to your evening fireworks. More details can be found at newellpioneervillage.com or download the flyer here.

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Five Different Times, on Seven Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

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10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
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7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

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8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM or 99.7FM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Podcast Version

Links & Additional Information

  • Greg Leo is a political and public affairs consultant. If you need help dealing with government, you can contact him at greg@theleocompany.com
  • Old-Fashioned Independence Day at the historic Newell House in Champoeg Park. Free food and music! Can’t make it on the 4th? See the full list of events at the Newell Pioneer Village
  • The Quebec Act – the threat to representative government in the Colonies. See #5. (via founding.org)
  • Read more about the “deleted paragraph” of the Declaration of Independence (BlackPast, 2019)
  • Excellent resource for historical context of issues mentioned in the Declaration of Independence — an annotated Declaration of Independence from founding.org (a project of Claremont Univ)
  • Former President Ulysses S. Grant in Japan (via Japan Today, Sep 21, 2018)
I Spy Radio Annual Fourth of July Show | War of 1812 America's first 50 years
7th Annual Fourth of July Show – The First 50 Years

7th Annual Fourth of July Show – The First 50 Years

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Show Summary: It’s I Spy’s Seventh Annual Fourth of July Show! This year, we’re looking at the first 50 years of America, when we nearly didn’t survive. Tune in to hear what was tearing us apart and why we came back together.

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Air Dates: July 1 & 2, 2017 | Greg Leo

Hot dogs, apple pie, picnics, fireworks! What a great time of the year. And once again we’re joined by Greg Leo (greg@theleocompany.com), I Spy’s “in house” historian, for our annual Fourth of July Show.

On last year’s annual Fourth of July show, we talked about the English Civil War and America’s first big milestone, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1826 and all the festivities for the jubilee.  This year, we’re taking a closer look at those fifty years in between.

American Revolution War vet, Lemuel Cook. Enlisted in 1781 at age 16. He served at the Battle of Brandywine and was present at the Surrender at Yorktown.
American Revolution War vet, Lemuel Cook. Enlisted in 1781 at age 16. He served at the Battle of Brandywine and was present at the Surrender at Yorktown.

Like today, there was a lot of disunity in America.  Having fought two wars with the strongest nation in the world, America was being pulled apart by the War of 1812 and many states weren’t on board with disenfranchising themselves from England. There were secret political meetings to undermine the President. And just like today, there was also a fierce battle going on between the two political parties, the Federalists and the Republicans.  One wanted to grow the federal government while the other wanted it to shrink.

Tune in to find out how and why America prevailed and how the second and third generations of the Revolution managed to keep alive the most extraordinary experiment of self-governance — the American Republic.  And don’t miss the last letter Thomas Jefferson ever wrote, as his poor health forced him to decline an invitation to attend the 50th Jubilee, that for one last time clearly and poignantly expressed the heart and soul of the Declaration of Independence.

Join us to celebrate July 4th, our Independence Day!

Fun Stuff for the Fourth of July

Links and Research

  • Terrific article on the 50th Anniversary celebration, July 4 in 1826 (American Heritage)
  • “Respected Sir” — the last letter of Thomas Jefferson, declining the invitation to the 50th Anniversary celebration
  • The Spirit of ‘76 (Washington Free Beacon)
  • The Fourth of July, birth of Independence Day, early Fourth of July celebrations, and more from the History Channel
  • More on the “Era of Good Feelings” during the Monroe era
  • List of battles during the American Revolution
  • Yes, it’s Wikipedia but a good article on the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence
  • The Olive Branch Petition articles here (“Revolutionary War and Beyond,” an independent history site), here (History Channel), and here (Wikipedia)
  • Read John Adams’ letter that was intercepted and leaked that spoiled the Olive Branch Petition
  • Greg’s company is the Leo Company and can be found here
This week in light of the tragedy in Southern Oregon, we're airing a "best of" I Spy, a show on what brings us together
Show 5-26 Annual Fourth of July Show

Show 5-26 Annual Fourth of July Show

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Show 5-26 | Air Dates: June 27 & 28, 2015

Note: In light of this week’s tragedy in Southern Oregon, we’re putting aside politics and partisanship, recognizing that people need space to heal and come together. So we’re re-airing our annual Fourth of July show, to give people some space and time to heal.

It’s our Annual Fourth of July show! This week on I Spy Radio, it’s time to put aside politics, time to put aside partisanship and take some time to celebrate America, our history, and our common heritage.

This week, we welcome back communications consultant and amateur historian, Greg Leo, whose special passion is the Fourth of July, its history, and the many events and celebrations that have happened on the Fourth.

On this year’s show, we revisit the origins of Independence Day celebrations and traditions, and then trace them through early Westward expansion, the Oregon Trail, and on into modern-day celebrations. Don’t miss the 1852 Fourth of July celebration at Independence Rock on the Oregon Trail, taken from a pioneer journal.

Independence Rock
At Independence Rock on the Oregon Trail

Next week, we will re-air this week’s show—with a special twist.

Links Mentioned