Friday, August 2, 1776. The Declaration of Independence signed.

Most delegates to the Second Continental Congress formally signed the Declaration of Independence.

Yes, it had already been approved a month prior.

Oddly enough, that was not widely known at the time.  In fact, the common belief at the time was that it had been signed on July 4.  The story behind that was actually somewhat obscured intentionally.

New York had abstained on July 4, so only the delegates of 12 out of the 14 (there were 14 British colonies in North America, not 13) signed it.  Of the 13 with representation in the Continental Congress, Quebec was not represented as it had chosen not to participate, New York abstained.  New York's delegates were granted permission from their convention to agree to the Declaration on July 9.  T hat news reached Congress on July 15.  The Secret Journals entry for July 19 reads:

Resolved That the Declaration passed on the 4th be fairly engrossed on parchment with the title and stile of "The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of America" & that the same when engrossed be signed by every member of Congress."

Hmmm. . . 

On August 2, those journals read:

The declaration of Independence being engrossed & compared at the table was signed by the Members.

The signers were:

 President of Congress

1. John Hancock (Massachusetts Bay)

New Hampshire

2. Josiah Bartlett

3. William Whipple

4. Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts Bay

5. Samuel Adams

6. John Adams

7. Robert Treat Paine

8. Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

9. Stephen Hopkins

10. William Ellery

Connecticut

11. Roger Sherman

12. Samuel Huntington

13. William Williams

14. Oliver Wolcott

New York

15. William Floyd

16. Philip Livingston

17. Francis Lewis

18. Lewis Morris

New Jersey

19. Richard Stockton

20. John Witherspoon

21. Francis Hopkinson

22. John Hart

23. Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania

24. Robert Morris

25. Benjamin Rush

26. Benjamin Franklin

27. John Morton

28. George Clymer

29. James Smith

30. George Taylor

31. James Wilson

32. George Ross

Delaware

33. Caesar Rodney

34. George Read

35. Thomas McKean

Maryland

36. Samuel Chase

37. William Paca

38. Thomas Stone

39. Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia

40. George Wythe

41. Richard Henry Lee

42. Thomas Jefferson

43. Benjamin Harrison

44. Thomas Nelson, Jr.

45. Francis Lightfoot Lee

46. Carter Braxton

North Carolina

47. William Hooper

48. Joseph Hewes

49. John Penn

South Carolina

50. Edward Rutledge

51. Thomas Heyward, Jr.

52. Thomas Lynch, Jr.

53. Arthur Middleton

Georgia

54. Button Gwinnett

55. Lyman Hall

56. George Walton

Last edition:

Friday, July 12, 1776. One Country (absent that problematic Quebec).

Labels: 1770s, 1776, American Revolution, Articles of Confederation, Colonial North America, law, Second Continental Congress, United States

Tuesday, July 9, 1776. Troops read the Declaration of Independence.

Continental Army soldiers on Lower Manhattan were assembled under orders of Gen. Washington to hear the Declaration of Independence read, the first they would have been aware that they were fighting for an entity that had declared itself independent of the United Kingdom.

British troops were being assembled on Staten Island for an offensive.

That evening a gilded lead statute of King George III was toppled in Bowling Green, New York, and melted into musket balls.

Last edition:

Monday, July 8, 1776. Declaration of Liberty read.

Labels: 1770s, 1776, American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)

Wednesday, July 7, 1926. Coolidge heads for the Adirondacks.

President Coolidge and family left for the Adirondacks, or more specifically White Pine Camp.  They'd remain there until September 18, 1926..

The resort still exists.

Last edition:

Monday, July 5, 1926. Coolidge's Sesquicentennial Address.

Labels: 1920s, 1926, Calvin Coolidge, Catholic, Christianity, Cristero War, Mexico, Philadelphia, Pope Pius XI, religion, Sesquicentennial of American Independence, the spoken word

The 2026 Election, 13th Edition. The choosing lanes edition.

June 19, 2026

The mere fact that somebody is running against Bear, one of the most notable of the WFC, is a good thing.  Here's hoping that Bear is solidly and permanently defeated.

John Bear, One Of The Freedom Caucus’ Most Powerful Members, Has A Challenger

And something that should be obvious, but for all the political theater:

Tom Lubnau: Our Leaders Today Need To Think Like The Leaders Of The 1970s

June 20, 2026

Ousted UW dean to challenge Freedom Caucus incumbent

Cam Wright seeks House 46’s Republican nomination. Known to many in Laramie as UW’s former engineering dean, Wright is involved in ongoing litigation against the university.

June 24, 2026

Three Democratic Socialist won primaries in New York City in Democratic Congressional primaries, causing pundits to somewhat freak out.

Frankly the fascist nature of the current GOP is making this inevitable. The WFC is, for example, every bit as radical as New York's Democratic Socialist and Trump is governing as a dictator to the extent that the courts don't prohibit him, so the rise of the left wing within the Democratic Party isn't too surprising.

While the right freaks out about New York City, here locally the GOP demands you swear your loyalty.

‘These are purity tests’: Driskill, Neiman talk platform allegiance in political heavyweight matchup

I've seen one candidate, a carpetbagging far right winger from Wisconsin, already put his "Meine Ehre Heisst Treue" tag on his posters.

On a ballot initiative.

Coalition demands records on tax initiative; Gray’s office calls claims false

An interesting development in the statewide races:

35 Candidates, Including Two Wyo Gov Hopefuls, Sign Love Your Enemies Pledge

At this point, what's particularly interesting is who has signed, and who has not.

The entity it self has some every notable names behind it. According to their website:

Justice Keith Kautz (Retired Wyoming Supreme Court, Evangelical Leader Southeast Wyoming)

Diana Enzi (Long time Wyoming activist and advocate for Christ from Gilette Wyoming)

Jim Neiman (Business, civic and Christian leader from Hullett, Wyoming)

Michael Evers (Business Leader and Episcopal Priest from Sheridan Wyoming)

Evan Simpson (Business Leader and Religious Leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from Star Valley, Wyoming)

Frank Moore (Business Leader and active in the Catholic community in Douglas, Wyoming)

Diemer True (Business, civic and Christian leader from Casper Wyoming)

Ron Rabou (Farmer, author and motivational speaker and leader in Christian community and member of Converge Worldwide from Albin, Wyoming)

Patty Micheli (Rancher and Religious leader and teacher for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Fort Bridger, Wyoming).

Mike Leman (Legislative Liaison for the Dioceses of Cheyenne, Deacon at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Casper, Wyoming)

The text of the pledge is:

THE PEACEMAKER PLEDGE

I believe that as a follower of Jesus, I am called to be a peacemaker— not a partisan soldier, and not a voice of outrage. I recognize that our politics has become poisoned by hatred, tribalism, and fear, and I confess that I too have been tempted to replace grace with outrage, truth with slogans, and love with loyalty to a side.

Today, I pledge to be different.

I will love my enemies, not just my friends. I will stand faithfully upon my convictions without giving into cruelty. I will call out wrongdoing without canceling people. I will refuse to let the letters on someone’s hat or the hashtags in their bio mean more to me than the Gospel. I will not be swept up in the outrage cycle, but will instead step out of the chaos and boldly examine my own actions.

I commit to bringing the peace of Christ back into the public square—to show a divided world what it truly looks like to follow Him, not as a culture warrior but as a Kingdom person.

I take to heart the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” And I hold fast to the call of Luke 6: “Love your enemies, do good to them… Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

This is my pledge. By God’s grace, I will become a peacemaker.

The candidates who have signed the pledge, which you can do on their website, are, so far:

GOVERNOR

Eric Barlow
Governor

Megan Degenfelder
Governor

U.S. SENATE

Jimmy Skovgard
U.S. Senate

U.S. HOUSE

Jillian Balow
U.S. House of Representatives

Bo Biteman
U.S. House of Representatives

Kevin Christensen
U.S. House of Representatives

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Steve Harshman
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

SENATE

Evie Brennan
Senate District 31

Ogden Driskill
Senate District 2

Ronald McCleary
Senate District 5

Marcia Neumiller
Senate District 27

Lauren Schoenfeld
Senate District 5

Wendy Schuler
Senate District 15

HOUSE

Dalton Banks
House District 26

Elizabeth Bingham
House District 17

Ronda Boller
House District 52

Peter Boyer
House District 58

Jessica Crowder
House District 43

Christopher Dresang
House District 35

Erin Edwards
House District 41

Justin Fornstrom
House District 10

David Hill
House District 50

Lloyd Larsen
House District 54

Martha Lawley
House District 27

Matthew Legler
House District 25

Jayme Lien
House District 38

Roland Luehne
House District 28

Myca Sturtevant
House District 29

Shane Swett
House District 13

Art Washut
House District 36

John Wetzel
House District 25

JD Williams
House District 2

Paul Wing
House District 11

Bill Winney
House District 20

COUNTY

Macey Moore
Converse County Commissioner

COUNTY PARTY

Michael Evers
Sheridan County GOP Precinct Person- Precinct 2-5

My guess is that after the article, some who haven't signed, or who aren't aware of it, will sign or will feel compelled to sign.

Notably, in the House, the big money candidates, Gray, Freiss and Rasner have not signed.  Gray's an entire political career has been based on being a lying asshole, so this puts him in a spot.  When he gets up at night and stubs his toes he blames it on left wing radical communist Marxist socialist fascist monarchist podiatrist, so that would take a major part of his repertoire out of play and actually make him live part of his faith.  Rasner has gone full comedic sideshow at this point, but it would take the extreme out of the candidate whose been the most extreme.  It probably wouldn't impact Freiss who hasn't attacked his opponents, but who is, in a very nice way, relying upon "I'll bring jobs to Wyoming of a type that I've worked at myself because I believe you dumb twits want to exist in the imaginary 1950s".

It's also interesting that only one Senatorial candidate, Skovogard, has signed it.

June 25, 2026

Interesting development.

Wyoming Congressional Candidate Reid Rasner Fired By Clearinghouse

Rasner didn't appear recently in Casper's weekly candidate forum when it invited the house contestants to speak.  That's odd as Casper is his home town.  Now this.

And this:

Postmaster General Confirms Plan to Hold Back Mail Ballots Under Proposed Rule

The postmaster general, David Steiner, said on Wednesday that under a proposed rule, his agency would not deliver mail ballots in states that decline to hand over voter data.

This is illegal.

Last edition:

The 2026 Election, 12th Edition. The late on ramp edition.

Labels: 2020s, 2026, 2026 Drought, 2026 Election, Ana Cordova, Chad Auer, Chuck Gray, Curt Meier, Donald Trump, Eric Barlow, Jillian Balow, Reid Rasner, Rod Miller, Scott Smith, Sergio Maldonado, Steve Harshman, The wealthy, Tom Kelly

Saturday, June 19, 1926. Cadaverum cremationis.

Pope Pius XI promulgated the papal instruction Cadaverum cremationis, affirming the Catholic ban on cremation.  The prohibition would be relaxed by Pope Paul VI on June 5, 1964, but at least with some Catholics, myself included, the practice is looked down upon. Subsequent popes have also written on the practice.

DeFord Bailey became the first African-American to be listed in newspaper radio schedules as a performer on the WSM Barn Dance (The Grand Ole Opry).  He had performed on the show previously.

from the studio of the Nashville radio station WSM. As authors note in a biography of Bailey, "he had probably begun regular appearances before then.

It was a Saturday.

Last edition:

Friday, June 18, 1926. Egyptian troops at Mecca.

Labels: 1920s, 1926, 69th Congress, Egyptian Army, Food, Greece, Hobby and Interest Organizations, Islam, Localism, Mecca, Monarchy, Philately, Russia, trends

Monday, May 20, 1946. Air disaster in Manhattan, War in Iran, Nationalization of Coal in the UK.

The House of Commons voted to nationalize the British coal industry.  The House of Lords would follow and Royal Assent would be received on July l2.

C-45.  By LanceBarber at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Liftarn using CommonsHelper., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12001474

A C-45 crashed into the 58th floor of the Bank of Manhattan building killing all five passengers but nobody else, given that it occurred at 8:00 p.m.

Things were not going well in Iran.

We've dealt with this a bit already, but this event was caused by Soviet support for Azerbaijani and Kurdish rebels. 

Cher in high school.

Cherilyn Sarkisian, better known by her stage name Cher, was born in El Centro, California.  Bobby Murcer, the baseball announcer and player, was born in Oklahoma City.

Murcer passed away in 2008, but Cher is still with us.

Last edition:

Sunday, May 19, 1946. Food protests in Japan.

Labels: 1940s, 1946, Civil Unrest, Food, Japan, Labor unrest, Occupation of Japan, Railroads, Strike Wave of 1945-1946

Wednesday, March 3, 1926. National Forest Week.

The Moody Bible Institute made the first radio broadcast of an evangelical radio program.

Odd to think they didn't exist at one time.

Germany and Afghanistan entered into a treat of friendship.

Coolidge proclaimed National Forest Week.

Proclamation, March 3, 1926

Purpose: To proclaim and celebrate American Forest Week

Date: March 3, 1926

(Original document available here)

---

In again proclaiming American Forest Week it is fitting that, while giving full weight to the evils resulting from impoverished forests and idle land, I should lay stress upon the outward spread of forestry in industrial practice and land usage. Too long have we as a nation consumed our forest wealth without adequate provision for its wise utilization and renewal. But a gratifying change is taking place in the attitude of our industries, our landowners, and the American people toward our forests.

The wise use of land is one of the main foundations of sound national economy. It is the corner stone of national thrift. The waste or misuse of natural resources cuts away the groundwork on which national prosperity is built. If we are to flourish, as a people and as individuals, we must neither wastefully hoard nor wastefully exploit, but skillfully employ and renew the resources that nature has entrusted to us. America’s forest problem essentially is a problem involving the wise use of land that can and should produce crops of timber.

Flourishing woodlands, however, mean more than timber crops, permanent industries, and an adequate supply of wood. They minister to our need for outdoor recreation; they preserve animal and bird life; they protect and beautify our hillsides and feed our streams; they preserve the inspiring natural environment which has contributed so much to American character.

Although our national progress in forestry has been well begun, much remains to be done through both concerted and individual effort. We must stamp out the forest fires which still annually sweep many wooded areas, destroying timber the nation can ill afford to lose and killing young growth needed to constitute the forests of the future. Forest fires, caused largely by human indifference or carelessness, are the greatest single obstacle to reforestation and effective forest management.

We must encourage and extend methods of timber cutting which perpetuate the forest while harvesting its products. We must plant trees in abundance on idle land where they can profitably be grown. We must examine taxation practices that may form economic barriers to timber culture. We must encourage the extension of forest ownership on the part of municipalities, counties, States, and the Federal Government. And we must take common counsel in public meetings to the end that the forestry problems of each region may be well considered and adequately met.

Now, therefore, I, Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week of April 18–24, inclusive, 1926, as American Forest Week; and I recommend to the Governors of the various States that they also designate the week of April 18–24 as American Forest Week and observe Arbor Day within that week wherever practicable and not in conflict with law or accepted custom. And I urge public officials, public and business organizations, industrial leaders, landowners, editors, educators, clergymen, and all patriotic citizens to unite in the common task of forest conservation and renewal.

The action of the Canadian Government in likewise proclaiming the week of April 18–24, inclusive, as a period when the utmost stress shall be laid upon the problems of forest conservation and renewal, thus unifying the respective efforts of Canada and the United States, is an added reason why our citizens should give careful thought to a matter so important to both countries.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this third day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and fiftieth.

Nassau Street, New York City, March 3, 1926.

Today In Wyoming's History: March 3: 1916  A spinsters convention is held in Gillette. Attribution:  Wyoming State Historical Society.

Last edition:

Saturday, February 20, 1926.

Labels: 1920s, 1926, Art

Blog Mirror: February 9, 1976: "Taxi Driver" Premieres

 

February 9, 1976: "Taxi Driver" Premieres

I was not aware that this was a 1976 movie, but then, I've never thought of the topic either.

I've actually never seen Taxi Driver all the way through.*  It's just too icky for me.  But the point raised here, tracking the depictions of New York City from the early 1960s into the 1970s, from "magical" to decline, is a really interesting observation.

Somewhere I have a series photographs of my mother in New York that must date from the late 1940s.  She and some friends went down from Montreal to visit.  She told me once how "clean" New York was, that being her observation from that trip.

I've been to New York state, but it's been years and years.  My exposure to New York City, however, is limited to the airport, a memory which is equally old.

Footnotes:

*Indeed, of the movies mentioned in this thread, the only one I've seen all the way through is Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Last edition:

Friday, February 6, 1976. Peltier arrested. Prince Bernhard implicated. Smith warns. Black Jack dies.

Labels: 1970s, 1976, American Indian Movement, Army, Crime, Equine Transportation, Monarchy, Personalities, Pine Ridge Reservation, Rhodesia, Rhodesian Bush War