Independence Day is one of my favorite times of the year. The picnics, barbeques, fireworks, parades and spending time with family and friends make it a day of great fun. In remembrance of our freedom, I decided that for the next few blogs leading up to July 4th, I will post some stories that give us a historical background as to how some things in America came to pass. Today's story: The Birth of the Fourth of July.
Celebrating America’s Freedom: July 4th
Independence
Day also known as 4th of July is the birthday of the United States of America.
It is celebrated on July 4th each year in the United States. It is the
anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by
the Continental Congress - July 4, 1776.
This was
the day that America announced to the world that the 13 colonies no longer
belonged to Great Britain. The thirteen colonies were: Connecticut, Delaware,
Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. In
May, 1776, after nearly a year of trying to resolve their differences with
England, the colonies sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress.
Finally, in June, admitting that their efforts were hopeless; a committee was
formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas
Jefferson, the committee also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip
Livingston and Roger Sherman. On June 28, 1776, Thomas Jefferson presented the
first draft of the declaration to Congress. Independence Day was first observed
in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.
On July 4,
1777, the night sky of Philadelphia lit up with the blaze of bonfires. Candles
illuminated the windows of houses and public buildings. Church bells rang out
load, and cannons were shot from ships breaking the silence. The city was
celebrating the first anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The Fourth
of July soon became the main patriotic holiday of the entire country. Veterans
of the Revolutionary War made a tradition of gathering on the Fourth to
remember their victory. In towns and cities, the American flag flew; shops
displayed red, white, and blue decorations; and people marched in parades that
were followed by public readings of the Declaration of Independence. In 1941,
Congress declared July 4 a federal legal holiday. It is one of the few federal
holidays that have not been moved to the nearest Friday or Monday.
Some Fun July 4th Facts:
- The first public Fourth of July event at the White House occurred in 1804.
- Before cars ruled the roadway, the Fourth of July was traditionally the most miserable day of the year for horses, tormented by all the noise and by the boys and girls who threw firecrackers at them.
- The first Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi occurred at Independence Creek and was celebrated by Lewis and Clark in 1805.
- Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on Independence Day, July 4, 1826.
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Stories or interesting tidbits? Email me richmullercoach@gmail.com
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receiving this story through your email and want to read more stories on my
blog, please go to my blog site - http://soup-heart.blogspot.com
Live. Laugh. Love
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