Congress adopts Olive Branch Petition
On July 5, 1775, the Continental Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition, written by John Dickinson, which appeals directly to King George III and expresses hope for reconciliation between the colonies and Great Britain. Dickinson, who hoped desperately to avoid a final break with Britain, phrased colonial opposition to British policy as follows: “Your Majesty’s Ministers, persevering in their measures, and proceeding to open hostilities for enforcing them, have compelled us to arm in our own defence, and have engaged us in a controversy so peculiarly abhorrent to the affections of your still faithful Colonists, that when we consider whom we must oppose in this contest, and if it continues, what may be the consequences, our own particular misfortunes are accounted by us only as parts of our distress.”
King George refused to so much as receive the Olive Branch Petition. Patriots had hoped that Parliament had curtailed colonial rights without the kings full knowledge, and that the petition would cause him to come to his subjects’ defense. When George III refused to read the petition, Patriots realized that Parliament was acting with royal knowledge and support. Americans’ patriotic rage was intensified by the January 1776 publication by English-born radical Thomas Paine of Common Sense, an influential pamphlet that attacked the monarchy, which Paine claimed had allowed crowned ruffians to impoverish the nation and set it together by the ears.
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, officially announcing the thirteen American colonies' separation from Great Britain
On July 4, 1776, The Declaration was not unanimously adopted by the 13 delegations. The New York delegates cast no vote on July 4th but some of the those delegates hastened home to urge the adoption of the Declaration. After organizing on July 9, 1776, the New York Provincial Congress immediately listened to the reading of two letters, one dated July 2nd and the other presumably July 5th or 6th. In the latter was enclosed a copy of the Declaration of Independence signed by John Hancock, president, and attested by Charles Thomson, secretary. It was on July 9th that the New York delegates at Philadelphia were authorized to vote for “all such measures as they may deem conductive to the happiness and welfare of the United States of America.” It at that time that Timothy Matlack began his scribing of the engrossed version of the Declaration. Source: www.newyorkalmanack.com/2026/07/declaration-of-independence-in-ny/#gsc.tab=0
George Washington formally took command of the troops in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1775. This appointment was a crucial step in the organization of the American forces during the Revolutionary War
This year Lest We Forget will highlight our Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the United States. A Revolutionary War encampment will take place at Riverview Park in St. Joseph, Michigan on July 18 & 19, 2026.
This Revolutionary War Reenactment weekend will feature Camp Life, Parade of Military Uniforms and Civilian Dress, Tomahawk Throwing, Music and Dance and two 1776 era War Battles per day. The North West Territory Alliance (NWTA.com) is an American Revolutionary War reenactment organization located in the Midwestern United States. They have over five hundred members from states as far west as Iowa, east to Ohio, north to the Canadian border, and south to Tennessee. They are a non-profit educational organization that recreates the culture, lifestyle and arts of the time of the American Revolution, 1775-1783. They strive to duplicate the uniforms, weapons, battlefield tactics and camp life of the era as accurately as possible.
The day begins both Saturday and Sunday with a Pancake Breakfast from 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. Naturalists from the Sarett Nature Center, Benton Harbor, will give the public rides on the St Joseph River in its 35-foot voyageur canoe. Lest We Forget will fly a Field of 250 Flags at Whirlpool Centennial Park, line the fence at St. Joseph High School with Flags and has sponsored the bluff stairs mural. All activities are free and open to the public.
On July 2, 1776, with the passing of the Lee Resolution, the Continental Congress declared "the United Colonies Free and Independent States.”
In a letter to his wife Abigail dated July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote from Philadelphia reflecting on what this declaration will hold for the future:
"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.—I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
"You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not.—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."
Lee's Resolution of June 7th from the Virginia capital in Williamsburg was that the "United Colonies are, and of Right OUGHT TO BE Free and Independent," not declared, but ought to be. And the word "Independence" was only being described to the title of the Declaration by the first anniversary of the document on July 4, 1777.
TRY REENACTING!
Do you want to fire a musket, help crew a cannon, or just enjoy an evening around the fire?
Our Units are excited to host folks who want to try out the hobby.
They will supply the necessary gear and clothing for you (and your family) to join us for a weekend reenacting the American Revolution!
What are you in for? Read our “What Re-enacting with the NWTA Looks Like.”