On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. The declaration had been written mostly by thirty three year old Thomas Jefferson. 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 American independence. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday.
Families enjoy the summer holiday by celebrating with picnics, fireworks and community events. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is “The Star Spangled Banner” the national anthem of the United States.
Everyone at PHA wishes you a very nice holiday as we remember our independence, and honor the men and woman who fought for it, and those that continue to protect it.
Interesting facts:
- John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest.
- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
- The initial fireworks were ignited in 1777 to commemorate the first anniversary of the American colonies’ Declaration of Independence.
- 2.5 million people lived in the American colonies when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
- Appearing upside down on the bottom of the Declaration of Independence are the words, “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776.” This memo may have been written as a label for the document.
- The Pennsylvania Evening Post is the first newspaper that printed the Declaration of Independence.