This Most Hallowed Week

Although you couldn't tell from the new edition of "The Week Ahead" on Quo Vadimus, I actually do consider the anniversaries of the historical events that are happening this week to be important. The events of these days, Particularly July 1-4, were crucial to the founding and continued existence of our nation.

Of course, the most well-known and important anniversary happening this week is Independence Day. 231 years ago Wednesday, a group of patriots put everything on the line and declared our independence from Great Britain. Although thousands of lives would still be lost and it would take seven years for the Treaty of Paris to make it official, our nation was truly born that July day in Philadelphia.

In the course of setting up a nation, many things were accomplished. One issue, however, was not settled. Despite many founders wishing to abolish the "peculiar institution" of slavery, there was no way this could happen if the United States wanted to include South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Thus, the founders made a compromise on the issue, and left it to another generation to solve.

That generation would come almost ninety years later, and the resolution would be not by laws and debate, but by blood. For four years the brother states of the North fought the brother states of the South, costing over 600,000 American lives and leaving scars that have yet to heal.

Two turning points in that horrible war occurred during the sweltering early days of July, 1863. One took place on the verdant fields and ridges of Pennsylvania; the other took place at a stronghold on the vital Mississippi River. This week is is the 144th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg and the surrender of Vicksburg.

Today is July 2, the middle day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Although most people think of Pickett's Charge and day three of the battle when they think of Gettysburg, the second day was actually the bloodiest. Places, such as Devil's Den, Little Round Top, and the Wheatfield would reverberate throughout time, echoes of the triumphs and tragedies that took place that day.

July 2 is the day Sickles led his corps off of the main Union line, jeopardizing the entire position, killing many men in the III Corps, and costing him his leg. It is the day Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine stood on the Union left, and held off the Alabamians at all costs. It is the day Hancock saw a gap in the Union line, and ordered the 1st Minnesota forward. The 1st Minnesota succeeded in holding the line, but at a cost of 82% of the regiment killed, wounded, or missing.

As the two exhausted armies sat outside of Gettysburg on July 4th, an event just as important was taking place in Mississippi. After many failed attempts, U.S. Grant had found a successful way to envelop Vicksburg. In a brilliant campaign, he crossed the river downstream from Vicksburg, captured the state capitol in Jackson, and trapped John Pemberton's force, while Joe Johnston barely nipped at the Union's heels.

After a siege of over a month, Vicksburg was starting to crack. The Union approaches were getting ever closer to the Confederate lines, and the Confederates were running out of supplies. Finally, 144 years ago Tuesday, Pemberton sent a note asking Grant for terms. After some negotiating, terms were settled, and Vicksburg would be surrendered. Much to the delight of Unionists everywhere, the city was formally surrendered on July 4, Independence Day. Although Mr. Lincoln appreciated the country's birthday present, the city of Vicksburg did not, refusing to celebrate Independence Day until World War II.

Although the Mississippi wasn't truly in Union hands until Port Hudson fell on July 8, Vicksburg was the last key to control of the river. The river wasn't completely safe, and raiders such as Forrest did their best to keep it that way. However, the Union had split the south in two, achieved one of the major goals of the Anaconda Plan, and made victory much more likely. Vicksburg also marked another illustrious moment in U.S. Grant's career, a career that would lead him to Appomattox and the White House.

Whatever you choose to do with your Independence Day, remember the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before you. Reflect on the challenges we face today, and the possibilities of what tomorrow might be if we just try to live up to the standards of our previous generations. And then get back to your grilling, your fireworks, and your lazy summer day.