American Independence: When 21 Young People Changed the Course of Human History

Topic: Leadership

Independence Day inspires images of joyful celebration – watermelon, barbecue, beer, and fireworks, with participants often donning their favorite patriotic attire.  Indeed, the founding of the world’s most prosperous Republic is a cause for celebration.  While ringing in another national birthday is generally a joyful endeavor, it was a solemn one 246 years ago.

The Continental Congress approved the Declaration on July 2, 1776.  Two days later, John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress and Charles Thomson, Congressional Secretary, signed the Declaration.  All but one of the remaining signatures were placed on August 2, 1776.  The act of signing the Declaration of Independence constituted treason against the crown.

This act was eerily somber.  Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying, “Surely we must all hang together, or surely, we will all hang separately.”  The attitude of Patrick Henry, who quipped in 1765, “If this be treason, let us make the most of it,” permeated the thoughts of those who answered the call to leadership.  Their words, and those of many others, demonstrate the grave seriousness of open rebellion against the world’s most powerful empire.

Our world today is full of opportunities to kick the proverbial can down the road and choose a path of passivity, especially if we are comfortable and have material wealth available.  Those climbing the corporate ladder today are often concerned about the direction of America, but not willing to engage out of fear for losing opportunity, although the future promises to hold less opportunity if current trends hold.

On December 16, 1773, revolutionaries in Boston threw a protest (later called the “Boston Tea Party”) over a tax on their breakfast drink of choice.  Today, Americans tolerate unconstitutional mandates that restrict freedoms and liberties, and bend the knee when threatened with negative press.  This nation would benefit from its young patriots going “all in” for the cause of liberty, speaking truth and lighting the “brushfires of freedom” that Sam Adams spoke so intently of.

The signers of the Declaration had much to lose.  The Republican Party has a chapter called “Young Republicans” that meets around the nation, which is generally comprised of members 40 years of age or younger.  Here are some of the most notable young people who stepped up to the plate and answered the question of “If Not You, Who?,” knowing that gallows were the penalty for signing the Declaration of Independence.

John Adams (40 years old at time of signing)

Carter Braxton (39)

Charles Carroll (38)

Samuel Chase (35)

George Clymer (37)

Elbridge Gerry (32)

John Hancock (40)

Thomas Heyward, Jr. (30)

William Hooper (34)

Francis Hopkinson (38)

Thomas Jefferson (33)

Thomas Lynch, Jr. (26)

Arthur Middleton (34)

Thomas Nelson, Jr. (37)

William Paca (35)

John Penn (36)

Benjamin Rush (30)

Edward Rutledge (26)

Thomas Stone (33)

George Walton (35)

James Wilson (33)

56 men signed the Declaration of Independence.  21 of them were 40 years of age or younger, selflessly pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the advancement of human rights and liberties.

They lived good lives.  Many of them were self-made men, wealthy and comfortable.  They could not turn a blind eye to the trampling of liberties and grievances committed by the crown, and refused to live as serfs, even if they had comfortable lives.  We must possess the courage of these founding fathers if we are to turn the tide on global tyranny.  There is always something to lose with every risk taken, and that is the way it must be.

Nothing great in the entire sequence of human history has ever been accomplished without serious risk and chance of loss.  The young people of America must rise to the occasion and be willing to hang together.