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This Day in History

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

In the meantime, Chicago's Benjamin Franklin

Joseph Medill, editor of the Chicago Tribune , presented Richard Henry Park's work to Lincoln Park in 1896. It is now located at the south end of Lincoln Park, facing north and the visible zoo, with "its back to LaSalle Drive." -- from Ira J. Bach's A Guide to Chicago's Public Sculpture, 1983. Photo taken by Michael O'Shea.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

The Youngest and Oldest Signers of the Declaration of Independence
The youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence was Edward Rutledge, age 26, of Southern Carolina. He argued for the removal of Jefferson’s condemnation of slavery. Although initially opposed to independence, he signed the Declaration for the purpose of unanimity.
The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin, age 70, At the signing, Franklin observed "We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Happy Fourth!

Benjamin Franklin, visible on the right, served on the Committee to write the Declaration of Independence He was appointed with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston on June 11, 1776 to draft a declaration of independence.

For an analysis of John Trumbull's famous painting see David's McCullough surprising analysis of the masterpiece in the Wall Street Journal, 6/30-7/1 issue, P1, p.1 An Icon's Secret - WSJ.com