Hey, Fourth of July Fans!
Today is the day of our country’s independence. Way back in a time that we only know from history books, the people who lived in “The New World” (more modernly known as the United States of America) still felt the rule of Great Britain. Independence Day is the day that we adopted our Declaration of Independence in 1776.
For 239 years we’ve been celebrating this federal holiday, but there’s a lot about it that most people don’t know. Here are four things that you probably didn’t know about the Fourth of July:
Did you know…
…that, ironically, three presidents have died on Fourth of Julys past? It’s tr
ue. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died within hours of each other in 1826. John Adams last words were, “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” And just five years later, the fifth president James Monroe died in 1831.
Bet you didn’t know…
…the Fourth of July is one of only four other federal holidays that get celebrated on the same calendar date each year? (The other three holidays are Veteran’s Day, New Years, and Christmas.)
And I be
t you never knew…
…despite common belief, the Liberty Bell was not rung on the Fourth of July in 1776, but on the eighth of the July. It was rung in honor of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Last, but not least, did you know…
…that some people have argued that the Fourth of July should actually be the Second of July? They’re crazy, right? Well, the argument holds some validity as July 2 is the day that our forefathers did the actual VOTING on their Declaration. The document simply wasn’t written up completely until July 4.
In any case, despite controversy over the proper date or the unfortunate loss of presidents on this national celebration, let your freedom ring along with everyone here at Everything Summer Camp today and enjoy your Independence Day. As always, thanks for reading.
- John