Did you know?
• Although the Declaration of Independence is dated July 4th, Congress actually voted for independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. In fact, John Adams would refuse invitations to 4th of July celebrations, as he would only refer to Independence Day as July 2nd.
• The Liberty Bell is tapped 13 times on Independence Day to honor the original 13 colonies. Descendants of people who signed the Declaration of Independence tap the bell at 2 p.m. Eastern time.
• Thomas Jefferson believed that a new Constitution should be written every 19 years. In a letter to James Madison, he said if “one generation of men has the right to bind another…the lands would belong to the dead, and not to the living, which would be the reverse of our principle.”
• The very first 4th of July fireworks show was in Philadelphia in 1777.
• Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1870.
We hope you have a fun and safe Independence Day!