God Bless America - Land that I love
Fun Facts
In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday. In 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.
- On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
- On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of the American independence.
- Festivities including concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of cannons and muskets usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence.
- The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4th of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: "At night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated."
- The thirteen rockets represented the 13 Colonies
- Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.
- Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826 - the 50th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
- John Hancock's name is the largest signature on the Declaration of Independence.
- The Declaration of Independence is important because it states that a government exists for the benefit of the people and that "all men are created equal."
- The American colonies chose to declare independence from Great Britain for many reasons. They believed the British were treating the colonists unfairly. The British passed many tax laws that impacted the colonists. The colonists had no representatives in Parliament to vote on or discuss these laws.
- To view the Declaration of Independence... click here However you choose to celebrate the 4th of July and the independence of our great Nation this year, I hope you spend the day with those you love. Have fun and stay safe!
Gratefully,
Dr. Thomas D. Jusino
