On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, starting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.
Independence Day was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. In 1941, Congress declared July 4 a federal legal holiday. John Adams proclaimed: "It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."
The basics of the U.S.A. :
- Capital: Washington, D.C.
- Motto: "In God We Trust"
- National Anthem: "The Star Spangled Banner"
- National Bird: Bald Eagle
- National Flower: Rose
A few facts about our National Bird, the Bald Eagle…
- Benjamin Franklin, John Adams & Thomas Jefferson served on the committee that picked the eagle for the national seal (Franklin wanted the turkey.)
- Bald eagles have few natural enemies & live only in North America.
- Bald eagles get their white head & tail feathers about 4-5 years of age.
- The only other kind of eagle in North America is the golden eagle.
- Bald eagles mate for life, but if one dies, the survivor will accept a new mate.
- It is a felony to shoot an eagle
That Fireworks were invented in China in the 12th century to ward off evil spirits and the US imports an estimated $128 million in fireworks from China each year.
'The Star Spangled Banner' was written by Frances Scott Key and was originally set to the tune of an English drinking song in 1814.
Calvin Coolidge, our nation's 30th president, was born on July 4th, 1872. He is the only president to claim this honor.
John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe, all presidents, all died on a 4th of July.
The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council state that over 150 million hot dogs are consumed during Independence Day festivities. That's a lot of dogs, people!
The Liberty Bell sounded from the tower of Independence Hall on July 8, 1776, summoning citizens to gather for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.
The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence did not sign at the same time, nor did they sign on July 4, 1776. The official event occurred on August 2, 1776, when 50 men signed it. Their names were kept from the public for six months to protect the signers since they would have been punished with death if independence had not been achieved (you know, treason and all).
The salute of the union occurs on Independence Day at noon: One gun shot is fired for each state.
The American flag has 50 stars (one for each state) and 13 alternating red and white stripes (one for each colony). There is no official designation or meaning for the colors of the flag. However, when the Great Seal of the United States was chosen this is what was listed for them.
- white for purity and innocence
- red for valor and hardiness
- blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice
Bristol, Rhode Island is noted as having the oldest continuous 4th of July celebration.
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