Source: JimBovard.com
by James Bovard
“As Americans prepare to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we should also toast the 250th anniversary of a savvy political two-step that paved the way to formally breaking with Britain the following year. ‘We, your Majesty’s faithful subjects …’ began the petition beseeching reconciliation with King George from the Second Continental Congress on July 5, 1775. That offering became known as the Olive Branch Petition. The following day, Congress issued its Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, explaining why hostile British troops would henceforth be gunned down on the battlefields of America. Were the petition and the Declaration on Taking Up Arms sent to England on the same ship? If so, was a sticker attached to the Olive Branch petition saying, ‘Open me first?'” (07/02/25)
https://jimbovard.com/blog/2025/07/02/the-1775-two-step-that-led-to-american-independence/