4th of July Lessons on Persuasion

BrianTubbs · 07-04-2009, 01:31 PM

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!

I realize that not everyone here at the Warrior Forum are American citizens. Thus, I know that not every Warrior sees the 4th of July in the same way. However...the 4th of July can still teach everyone here something about persuasion.

Everyone understands that July 4, 1776 is the "birthday" of the United States of America. But, in actuality, the American Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2. You read that right....July 2!

The day after this vote, John Adams wrote his wife Abigail that "The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America."

That's right. Adams predicted July 2 would be America's birthday!

Adams was two days off. Why?

Because on July 4, Congress approved Thomas Jefferson's masterpiece, the Declaration of Independence -- albeit with a few revisions (or "mutilations" as Jefferson called them).

The Declaration of Independence was essentially a SALES LETTER announcing to the world what Congress had done on July 2. But it was so powerful that the American people chose the date of its adoption (July 4) as America's birthday.

A great lesson on the power of the written word!

For a complete text of the Declaration of Independence, click here.

Bruce Wedding · 07-04-2009, 01:52 PM

Interestingly enough, there's another copywriting lesson in the Declaration of Independence... It was a swipe of John Locke's "Concerning Civil Government" written in 1693.

Kevin Koop · 07-04-2009, 02:33 PM

@BrianTubbs - Great Post Brian!

History isn't one of my strong suits... I was unaware of this "two day discrepancy."

BTW, Happy 4th to you are yours!

@Bruce Wedding -

That is interesting (and funny too). That's gotta be one of the most influential examples of utilizing swipe material I have heard of.

ghyphena · 07-04-2009, 03:33 PM

Another obscure factoid is that even though Congress voted on July 2nd and approved the wording on the 4th, the document wasn't signed by Congress until August 2nd.

Gil-Ad

07-04-2009, 01:31 PM	#1
BrianTubbs HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 254 Thanks: 323 Thanked 29 Times in 23 Posts	4th of July Lessons on Persuasion Happy Fourth of July Everyone! I realize that not everyone here at the Warrior Forum are American citizens. Thus, I know that not every Warrior sees the 4th of July in the same way. However...the 4th of July can still teach everyone here something about persuasion. Everyone understands that July 4, 1776 is the "birthday" of the United States of America. But, in actuality, the American Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2. You read that right....July 2! The day after this vote, John Adams wrote his wife Abigail that "The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America." That's right. Adams predicted July 2 would be America's birthday! Adams was two days off. Why? Because on July 4, Congress approved Thomas Jefferson's masterpiece, the Declaration of Independence -- albeit with a few revisions (or "mutilations" as Jefferson called them). The Declaration of Independence was essentially a SALES LETTER announcing to the world what Congress had done on July 2. But it was so powerful that the American people chose the date of its adoption (July 4) as America's birthday. A great lesson on the power of the written word! For a complete text of the Declaration of Independence, click here.

07-04-2009, 01:52 PM	#2
Bruce Wedding The Reality Check War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cancun, Quintana Roo, MX Posts: 3,545 Thanks: 266 Thanked 464 Times in 215 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: 4th of July Lessons on Persuasion Interestingly enough, there's another copywriting lesson in the Declaration of Independence... It was a swipe of John Locke's "Concerning Civil Government" written in 1693.
	Cancun Beach Bum

07-04-2009, 02:33 PM	#3
Kevin Koop Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 709 Thanks: 403 Thanked 175 Times in 96 Posts Social Networking	Re: 4th of July Lessons on Persuasion @BrianTubbs - Great Post Brian! History isn't one of my strong suits... I was unaware of this "two day discrepancy." BTW, Happy 4th to you are yours! @Bruce Wedding - That is interesting (and funny too). That's gotta be one of the most influential examples of utilizing swipe material I have heard of.

07-04-2009, 03:33 PM	#4
ghyphena HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 170 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 16 Thanked 60 Times in 38 Posts Contact Info	Re: 4th of July Lessons on Persuasion Another obscure factoid is that even though Congress voted on July 2nd and approved the wording on the 4th, the document wasn't signed by Congress until August 2nd. Gil-Ad
	Gil-Ad Schwartz