GaryOsberg.com

“Put your John Hancock here.” Next week these `United States of America’ will celebrate a 241st birthday. Fifty six men, members of the Second Continental Congress, signed `The Declaration of Independence’ on July 4, 1776. The largest signature on the `unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America’ was that of John Hancock. Hence the idea that “your John Hancock” means your signature.

The final paragraph of The Declaration of Independence reads: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” A signed copy is displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. May we all pledge to do the same this coming Tuesday as we celebrate “Independence Day”.

The APHC show this week is a rebroadcast of a show originally recorded last November from The Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jason Isbell sings “24 Frames” and “Speed Trap Town,” Angélique Kidjo performs “Kulumbu” and “Orisha,” The Dover Quartet plays Barber’s Adagio for Strings. Billy Collins reads his poems “After the Funeral” and “Cheerios.” Plus: Chris Thile and the band with the Song of the Week, “I Made This for You,” Stuart Duncan and Chris Eldridge lead a medley of fiddle tunes. Also, there will be messages from sponsors, Offerman’s Noise-Canceling Headphones and the American Duct Tape Council. Tune in on your radio or smart phone.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Thomas Jefferson.