This Friday marks the 246th anniversary of the official birth of the term 'United States of America.' On September 9, 1776, an act of the Second Continental Congress formalized the name by which the country is known today.
Thus, the Thirteen American Colonies that declared their independence from Great Britain became the United States, a concept that is symbolic of "freedom and independence," as the National Constitution Center recalled.
#OnThisDay in 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a new name for what had been called the "United Colonies." The moniker United States of America has remained since then as a symbol of freedom and independence.https://t.co/ZrVj27pRPL pic.twitter.com/5ZTc7jBKuL
- National Constitution Center (@ConstitutionCtr) September 9, 2021
Thomas Jefferson is credited with being the first person to come up with the name, which he used in drafting the Declaration of Independence. Historians recall that in June 1776, Jefferson's draft of the Declaration began with the following sentence :
Declaration of the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Congress assembled.
The final version of the Declaration begins with the date July 4, 1776 and the following statement:
The Unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America.
The spirit of the new name was evident in the final paragraph of the Declaration:
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do in the name and by the authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United States are and by right ought to be, Free and Independent States.
Since then and to this day, the Declaration of Independence remains to be a benchmark for freedom.
Public Gdcmassbookdig Declarationofind00frie Declarationofind00frie by VozMedia on Scribd
Spanish aid and the Hispanic legacy
Spain played an important role in forming the United States of America. The Spanish empire provided the citizens of the Thirteen Colonies with money, arms and direct military aid. George Washington himself stated:"Not without Spain." "Without the support of the Spanish Army and Navy, success would be unlikely."
First, Spain and King Charles III devised a plan to allow the colonies to harass British ships, send money to the independent cause and provide firearms to George Washington's army. Finally, when Spain declared war on England (June 21, 1779), it caused their forces to divide their fighting fronts, forcing the withdrawal of British troops and war resources in North America and easing the way for the rebels.
A few months ago, President Joe Biden said, during his visit to Spain, that "some say that we would not have been an independent country without you," in a conversation with King Felipe VI.
In addition, the anniversary of the official naming of the United States coincides with the celebration of 'Hispanic Heritage' in the country. Next week, events begin to commemorate the important weight of a Hispanic-American community that represents 18% of the U.S. population with more than 60 million people in the country. The largest minority in the United States also has much to celebrate.
