On THIS day in 1776 – The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence took place. Yeah, that's right. Not July 4th. So get out there...set off fireworks! Grill food! Skip work! Celebrate 'Merica!!
After ratifying the text on July 4, Congress issued the Declaration of Independence in several forms. It was initially published as the printed Dunlap broadside that was widely distributed and read to the public. The source copy used for this printing has been lost, and may have been a copy in Thomas Jefferson's (Wahoowa!!) hand.[3] Jefferson's original draft, complete with changes made by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, and Jefferson's notes of changes made by Congress, are preserved at the Library of Congress. The most famous version of the Declaration, a signed copy that is popularly regarded as the official document, is displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. This engrossed copy was ordered by Congress on July 19, and signed primarily on August 2.
Historians have generally accepted McKean's version of events, arguing that the famous signed version of the Declaration was created after July 19, and was not signed by Congress until August 2, 1776.[99] In 1986, legal historian Wilfred Ritz argued that historians had misunderstood the primary documents and given too much credence to McKean, who had not been present in Congress on July 4.[100] According to Ritz, about thirty-four delegates signed the Declaration on July 4, and the others signed on or after August 2.[101] Historians who reject a July 4 signing maintain that most delegates signed on August 2, and that those eventual signers who were not present added their names later.[102] Two future U.S. presidents, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, were among the signatories.
Anywho, you're looking for a camo'd applesauce jar in honor of Johnny Appleseed signing the Declaration (How do you know he didn't? Have you been to the archives and looked at EVERY signature?) Room for some small swag, a log, and a pen. Please hide this as well or better than you found it to prolong its life. I'm not sure about night caching or hunting concerns (there is the feeble remains of an old tree stand near the creek, but it looks like it hasn't been up to the task in some time)...I didn't see any information on either, however cacher should always cache responsibly.
For more info on the history or future of this area, visit the nearby caches of Future Neabsco Trail or better yet Tayloe's Iron Works...you won't be disappointed.
Lastly, feel free to share other tidbits on this day in history, including your own. Is it your birthday, anniversary, cool caching experience? Share below. Congrats to RobbitandPaul for FTF!