Well, here it is the 4th of July again — when, in my mind, summer seems to begin winding down. The days are getting shorter, the trees are starting to lose some leaves, and all the back-to-school sales are in full swing.
But every year (or at least some years) about this time I try to write something about the 4th. Often I try to concentrate on things that aren’t universally known about the holiday. I’ve probably mentioned some of these before, but I’m old and my memory ain’t what it used to be, so bear with me… but keep in mind that while I believe these things to be true, they could very well have been created by the “fake news” of the time.
I think it’s interesting that one President (Calvin Coolidge) was born on July 4, but three Presidents (John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe) died on July 4. In fact, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the same day — July 4, 1826. That just happened to be the 50th birthday of the United States of America. I suppose if you’re into “signs” you could make something of that….
On July 4, 1778, George Washington ordered a double ration of rum for this soldiers to celebrate the holiday — I’m not sure how this figures into American history, but it was a nice gesture.
We lived in the Philippines and there was always a big celebration on the 4th… not only because it was America’s Independence Day, but also because the Philippines gained their own independence from the US on July 4, 1946 with the signing of the Treaty of Manila.
I’ve been in a number of countries on the 4th of July and many of them celebrate the holiday — probably because a lot of their citizens moved to the US — and — to attract American tourists.
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but only two people (John Hancock and Charles Thomson) actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4 — most of the others signed on August 2nd.
The day that Congress actually voted for independence was July 2, not July 4.
Even though July 4 has been celebrated for a long time, it wasn’t officially declared a federal holiday until 1870… almost 100 years after the nation was founded.
Ok, enough… your head probably hurts from all the fascinating information you’ve absorbed. Go have a hot dog and a beer — Happy 4th!!
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