\u201cIndependence now and forever!\u201d That statement is attributed to Daniel Webster, and today we celebrate that Independence. It\u2019s been challenged over the years \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, like every year, we celebrate America\u2019s birthday on July 4th. Well, that\u2019s not completely accurate \u2014 one year we celebrated Independence Day on July 5h \u2014 the holiday fell on a Sunday in 1779, so the country celebrated on July 5th instead. And of course we\u2019ve 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 \u2014 it wasn\u2019t 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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u2014 Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Robert Livingston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cput your John Hancock\u201d when referring to signing your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Pennsylvania Evening Pos<\/em>t was the first newspaper to print the Declaration \u2014 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\u2019s manuscript.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three US Presidents that signed the Declaration of Independence died on July 4 \u2014 John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the country\u2019s independence. James Monroe died five years later on July 4, 1831.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first 4th of July fireworks show took place in Philadelphia in 1777 \u2014 the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 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\u2026. 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 \u201cOne generation of men has the right to bind another,\u201d saying that otherwise \u201cthe lands would belong to the dead, and not to the living, which would be the reverse of our principle.\u201d I guess I\u2019m thankful that didn\u2019t happen\u2026. I can\u2019t imagine what the United States would look like today if it had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But today is a day to celebrate \u2014 what\u2019s the best kind of tea to drink of July 4th? Liber-tea! \u201cIndependence now and forever!\u201d That statement is attributed to Daniel Webster, and today we celebrate that Independence. It\u2019s been challenged over the years \u2014 both externally and internally. The American flag is the symbol of our freedom, national pride and … Continue reading
In 1778, U.S. soldiers got a special 4th of July treat \u2014 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 \u2014 dependents of people who signed the Declaration of Independence tap the bell at 2 p.m. eastern time every 4th of July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calvin Coolidge was the only president born on the 4th of July.
The 4th of July didn\u2019t become a federal holiday until 1870.
The Constitution was signed in September of 1787, a little over 11 years after the Declaration of Independence \u2014 both were signed in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Happy Independence Day!!!
\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"