Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Happy Holidays’

The Famous Painting of the Declaration of Independence Isn’t What You Think It Is

Friday, July 4th, 2014

If you grew up in the United States, you probably first saw John Trumbull’s painting of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence in an elementary schoolbook. This oil-on-canvas 12’ x 18’ painting hangs in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. It is one of the most famous symbols of freedom in the country and almost every citizen can conjure it from memory.

Except… the painting isn’t of the singing of the Declaration of Independence. The actual title of the work is Declaration of Independence, and although it does portray an important moment in the history of the document that announced the Thirteen Colonies’ decision to break away from British rule, the event in the painting occurred on June 28, 1776, not July 4, 1776.

John Trumbull, a Connecticut native who fought in the Revolutionary War and whose father was the state governor, was commissioned to create the painting in 1817. He did painstaking research on the figures in the picture and also visited Independence Hall to see the actual chamber where the Second Continental Congress met. Trumbull only included 42 of the original 56 signers, because he could not find adequate likenesses for 14 or them, and added a few figures who were not present (most of whom declined to sign the actual document). In fact, the men depicted in the painting had never been present in the same room at one time.

So if the painting does not portray the signing of the Declaration of Independence, what is happening in the image? The Trumbull’s scene depicts the presentation of the draft of the declaration to the Continental Congress for editing and approval. The five-man drafting committee (John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin) is handing over their finished work, which congress would then edit carefully over the next few days before voting on it and signing it on the day that we now celebrate as the start of the United States of America.

One last, odd, fact: two of the five-man drafting committee, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died on July 4th—although many years later.

Our family at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. hopes that your Fourth of July (or Twenty-Eighth of June if you decided to start celebrating early) is a memorable and happy one.

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Happy New Year’s Eve!

Monday, December 31st, 2012

Everyone at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) wants to wish you a very happy New Years! We hope you have a fun (and safe!) time saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming in the new.

If you are a person who makes resolutions, why not try to make your home more environmentally-friendly next year? Upgrading your plumbing with low flow fixtures is an easy way to reduce the amount of water your home uses every day. Replacing your water heater with a more efficient model can also reduce your energy bills. Contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) if you are interested in improving the plumbing in your home.

Have a great New Year’s Eve!

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Happy Holidays from Your Local Winter Springs Plumber!

Monday, December 24th, 2012

Everyone at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) wishes you a very happy holiday! We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful customers who make our business possible. We look forward to working with you in the future. Have a wonderful celebration, and enjoy this time with friends and family!

And a quick reminder, one of the easiest ways to save water in your home is to repair leaks. The average home wastes over 10,000 gallons of water a year due to leaky pipes, faucets, and toilets. You can make your home more environmentally-friendly and lower your utility bills by simply having a plumber repair these problems. Lower bills and a greener home is a gift that everyone can appreciate!

Happy Holidays from Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI)!

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