06/30/2014
TGIF!
As we are closed on Friday, July 4th, I thought it appropriate to feature this upcoming holiday! Whatever you do, enjoy your day and be safe.
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The 4th of July is a holiday based upon our nation's history and fight for freedom, but how much do you really know about Independence Day?
Test your knowledge with these fascinating 4th of July facts.
Celebrating Christmas in July? Red, white and blue weren't always easily available colors, and paper was a bit harder to come by as well, so in our country's early years, people used greenery as festive decorations. It started with George Washington and soldiers who wore greenery in their caps.
Would the 2nd of July be as much fun? "The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epochal in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival," John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776. The Second Continental Congress made a decree for freedom on July 2, 1776. It did not adopt the Declaration of Independence until July 4, 1776.
How about August 2nd for a patriotic holiday? The Declaration of Independence did not become official until August 2, 1776, when most delegates signed it.
What was the estimated population of the colonies on July 4, 1776? 2.5 Million. Current US population is estimated at 317+ Million!
Which three Presidents died on July 4th? John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Adams, the second president, and Jefferson, the third president, both died on the same day in 1826.
When did Congress declare the 4th of July a federal holiday? June 28, 1870, nearly 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was written.
What country gained full independence from the United States on July 4, 1946? The Philippines.
What is the meaning behind the red, white and blue colors of the American flag? Red stands for hardiness and valor. White symbolizes purity and innocence. Blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.
But wait! There’s more!
The Fourth of July is more than just a celebration of summertime — it’s a time to celebrate our freedom and how far we have come.
· The Declaration of Independence began as a letter to King George to explain why the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain.
· 56 people signed the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the majority of it.
· The first Independence Day on July 8, 1776 took place in Philadelphia. The White House celebrated Independence Day for the first time in 1804.
· The Declaration of Independence has five parts. They are: the Preamble, the Statement of Human Rights, Charges Against Human Rights, Charges Against the King and Parliament, and the Statement of Separation and Signatures.
· Currently, the oldest Independence Day celebration in the U.S. is held in Bristol, Rhode Island.
· 2014 marks this year as the 238th Independence Day!
