With fireworks, brass bands, and more hot dogs than any other day of the year, July 4th celebrations surely live up to founding father John Adams’s prediction that this would be a day to commemorate.
Adams, however, believed July 2nd was the correct day to celebrate our independence, since that’s the day the Continental Congress voted to separate from England.
July 4th gets the praise, however, because it was on this day the delegates from our original 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. In fact, Adams often refused to attend celebrations on the 4th in protest.
Now there’s a piece of trivia for your ’round the barbecue conversations.
What else do you know about America’s Independence Day? Here are some more fun facts about this important day in American history.
- Although celebrations of July 4th as Independence Day date back to the Revolution, it did not become an official holiday until 1870—the same year Congress voted to recognize Christmas as a federal holiday.
- Which two original signers of the Declaration went on to become Presidents and then died on July 4, 1826? John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
- James Monroe, another President and signer, also died on July 4th, but five years later in 1831.
- July 4th is the birthday of our current first daughter—Malia Obama.
- Though no longer rung for fear of damage, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is ceremoniously tapped thirteen times each July 4th to signal all other bells in America to ring in honor of our independence.
For more great trivia check out:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/4th-of-july-facts_n_3542777.html?slideshow=true#gallery/306682/10
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/07/04/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-fourth-of-july/