The Daily Dose/July 2, 2026
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
USA 250: We blab about this every July 2, and this may well explain why we don’t get invited to (m)any parties: the United Colonies declared their independence from the tiresome British on July 2, 1776, and today is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Get Out Your History Books: The American Revolution was brewing for years. The 1st Continental Congress had met in 1774, and the 2nd Continental Congress had been sitting in Philadelphia since May 1775. The Revolution actually started in April 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, heralding the fact that white men – some of whom owned slaves – wanted to be free.
Dry, Technical Matter – Original Source Material Edition: Congress’ journal from that day is rather matter-of-fact about the momentous event. After sorting through “sundry letters”, they:
…resumed the consideration of the resolution agreed to by and reported from the committee of the whole; and the same being read, was agreed to as follows:
Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connexion between them, and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
More Dry, Technical Matter: The resolution agreed to was the Lee Resolution, named for Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee, who had introduced it on June 7.
Running The Numbers: Though the journal doesn’t record the vote, it was later divulged that the vote for independence was 12-0, with the New York delegation abstaining due to a lack of guidance from the home office.
All Men Are Created Equal: Later in the day, Congress would consider the Declaration of Independence it had received on June 28th from noted slave owner Thomas Jefferson, but put off voting on it for a couple of days.
USA! USA! The significance of the day was not lost on the delegates, with no less a Founding Father than John Adams certain July 2 would be remembered forever, writing in a letter to another great American, his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.
The Bottom Line: It didn’t work out that way, of course, and, frankly, July 2 never got any footing as our national holiday, mostly because July 4 was plastered on the Declaration. So be it. There are those among us, however, who will always hoist a mug on July 2.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow catches up from the past few days.
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
In 1776 – The United States of America is formed when the 2nd Continental Congress of 13 North American colonies declares their independence from Great Britain. The first colony was founded was Virginia in 1607, and the seeds of the Revolution were planted in 1763, when British debt following the French and Indian War led to new taxes on the colonies. The American Revolution effectively ended in 1781 and officially ended in 1783.
In 1941 – Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees establishes a new major league record for most consecutive games with a base hit in an 8-4 win over the Boston Red Sox. DiMaggio’s 5th-inning home run gave him a hit in 45 consecutive games, breaking the record of 44 consecutive games established by Willie Keeler of the National League’s Baltimore Orioles in 1897. DiMaggio would hit in 56 consecutive games and the record still stands.
In 1976 – Wings is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the fifth and final non-consecutive weeks with Silly Love Songs. The song also went to #1 in Ireland and Canada, peaked at #2 in Great Britain, and was Billboard’s #1 song of the year. It was the seventh of twelve Top 10 hits for the group, and their fourth of six #1s. The song was McCartney’s 27th #1 as a songwriter, establishing a Hot 100 record he still holds with 32.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Lost in the cacophony of Oprah and O.J. are those classical values that once made a Saturday afternoon track meet so appealing. Of running for the love of competition, of throwing a javelin for applause and an olive wreath. Of sweating for hours on a lonesome track at dusk for the chance of maybe one day hearing the anthem. Of honor and glory and the spirit of victory, not the spoils.
Mark Zeigler
The San Diego Union-Tribune
6.20.95
Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.
Billboard’s #1 song of 1969 was Sugar, Sugar by the Archies, which spent for weeks at #1.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What happened to the National League’s Baltimore Orioles? – Answer next time!
