it's still the 3rd here. very hot. but, it was beastly hot, back in the summer of 1776, when a contentious group of representatives gathered and argued whether to take an incredibly audatious , and dangerous step; to declare independence from their own mother country, and strike out alone, knowing it would likely mean war.
Remember, Britain was in incredibly powerful country, with an army that would put many current army's to shame.
really, the only reason we won independence was that Britain was occupied with war with France, and, it's nearly impossible to win a war against the resident population. (see "Vietnam").
in any case, it was hot that summer, they squabbled, and talked and voted more than once, and eventually came to an agrreement, but only becuase some of the representatives excused themselves from the voting (knowing they could not represent the will of their colony, AND their personal views)
I can only imagine how amazing it must have been when they finally came to agreement, and ratified the vote, and penned their names to the paper, all in a sweltering hot room, in a city that had summers so hot that plagues of fever swept through regularly. and NO air conditioning! (just like me!)
I know that the United States has made a lot of mistakes, has many faults, and still has some growing to do, but that spirit of self-determination is something that lives in ALL peoples. so, tomorrow, if you are not an American by birth or immigration, please celebrate the part of you that shares the values that inspired the Declaration of Independence, something we all share. please turn away from all the jaded criticism of this nation, and join us in being an honorary American, for a day!