Health & Fitness
Celebrate Independence Day at the Port Jefferson Free Library!
As we come to another Fourth of July let us celebrate the men who started it all!
While the Continental Congress agreed to write what would be known as the Declaration of Independence, it was the “Committee of Five” who produced the document itself. Thomas Jefferson is credited with doing much of the writing, yet he did not work alone. He was aided by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut.
The classic painting by John Trumbull, depicts the Committee of Five presenting the draft of the Declaration to the Continental Congress. The five central prominent figures are left to right are John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin
Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Declaration of Independence is one of our most important national documents. It was the beginning of the fight to free the thirteen colonies from the control of England. For a closer look at this document and its creation check out:
The Story of the Declaration of Independence by Dumas Malone http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1183496~S50
Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence by Pauline Maier
Understanding the Declaration of Independence by Stephanie Schwartz Driver
Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by Reverend Charles A. Goodrich
http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4273620~S84
The Declaration of Independence: A Global History by David Armitage
http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3883143~S84
While they did not go to have the same illustrious political careers as their peers of the Committee of Five, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman were an important part of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. For more about their lives please read: Signing their Lives Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4181891~S50
John Adams was known for his strong opinions and while he was not always the most popular he had a brilliant legal mind and would become the second president of the United States. One of the definitive biographies of the second president is John Adams by David McCullough http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3087527~S50. The book was the basis for the HBO adaptation John Adams with Paul Giamatti as John Adams and Laura Linney as Abigail Adams http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4035920~S50
Benjamin Franklin was more than just a figure in government and diplomat. He was a true Renaissance man who was involved in science and started the first subscription library in the United States. Read more about Benjamin Franklin and his many achievements in these volumes:
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Issacson http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3347291~S50
Benjamin Franklin: A Biography in His Own Words
Thomas Jefferson was known as a gifted writer and believed to be the principle writer of the Declaration of Independence.For more about Thomas Jefferson and his work check out: Thomas Jefferson the Art of Power by Jon Meacham http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4545390~S50 or watch Thomas Jefferson: A View from the Mountain http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3677770~S50
For those who are looking for the lighter side of American History check out the classic movie musical about the writing of the Declaration of Independence 1776 http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3256244~S50
Please check out our display across from the Reference Desk for some revolutionary reads!
Happy Independence Day from the Port Jefferson Free Library!
