“Independence now and forever!” That statement is attributed to Daniel Webster, and today we celebrate that Independence. It’s been challenged over the years — both externally and internally. The American flag is the symbol of our freedom, national pride and history, and today is one of those days, especially, that we should display that symbol.
Today, like every year, we celebrate America’s birthday on July 4th. Well, that’s not completely accurate — one year we celebrated Independence Day on July 5h — the holiday fell on a Sunday in 1779, so the country celebrated on July 5th instead. And of course we’ve all heard that even though the Declaration of Independence was dated July 4, congress actually voted for independence from Great Britain two days prior on July 2, 1776. And — it wasn’t signed by everyone until a month later on August 2, 1776. John Adams was one who thought Independence Day was celebrated on the wrong day. He wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail Adams, about how memorable Independence Day would be in American history — in his letter, he said the day should be celebrated with parades, bonfires and fireworks, but he only referred to Independence Day as July 2nd. In fact, he turned down invitations to 4th of July celebrations in protest.
Thomas Jefferson is generally given credit as the author of the Declaration of Independence. He was the main author, but there were four others on the drafting committee — Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Robert Livingston.
John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. He was likely first because he was the President of Congress at the time. He signed in large handwriting and at the center of the document. His bold signature is where we get the phrase “put your John Hancock” when referring to signing your name.
The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration — it came out in the newspaper on July 6, 1776 for everyone to see, after a local printer named John Dunlap produced copies of the declaration’s manuscript.
Three US Presidents that signed the Declaration of Independence died on July 4 — John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. James Monroe died five years later on July 4, 1831.
The first 4th of July fireworks show took place in Philadelphia in 1777 — the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
In 1778, U.S. soldiers got a special 4th of July treat — George Washington allowed the troops a double ration of rum.
The Liberty Bell rings 13 times every Independence Day to honor the 13 original states — dependents of people who signed the Declaration of Independence tap the bell at 2 p.m. eastern time every 4th of July.
Before the Civil War, it was seen as unpatriotic if you kept your business open on Independence Day. Since then, restaurants and stores started having 4th of July sales….
Calvin Coolidge was the only president born on the 4th of July.
The 4th of July didn’t become a federal holiday until 1870.
The Constitution was signed in September of 1787, a little over 11 years after the Declaration of Independence — both were signed in Philadelphia.
Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence believed that a new Constitution should be written every 19 years. He wrote a letter to James Madison, asking if “One generation of men has the right to bind another,” saying that otherwise “the lands would belong to the dead, and not to the living, which would be the reverse of our principle.” I guess I’m thankful that didn’t happen…. I can’t imagine what the United States would look like today if it had.
But today is a day to celebrate — what’s the best kind of tea to drink of July 4th? Liber-tea!
Happy Independence Day!!!
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