Here are some interesting and a few little-known (and some well-known) facts about Independence Day.
- The July 4th holiday celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which declared the American colonies’ intention to separate from Great Britain. The Declaration wasn’t signed, however, until later in the summer.
- The actual vote for independence took place on July 2nd, 1776. John Adams insisted that independence be celebrated annually on that day, not July 4th, and boycotted July 4th events in protest.
- The first July 4th celebrations took place in Philadelphia in 1777. The Revolutionary War with Britain was still going on at this point.
- Before the Revolutionary War, the colonists celebrated the king’s birthday each year. In 1776 after the Declaration of Independence was signed, there were mock funerals for King George III in celebration.
- Massachusetts was the first state to make July 4th a holiday. It did not become a national holiday until 1870.
- Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4th, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Happy 4th of July
