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Independence Day, did you know?

Independence Day, did you know?

Declaration of Independence

Most of the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776.

The Continental Congress ratified the document on July 4, 1776.

Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the only 2 men to sign the Declaration of Independence and become President.

Both Adams and Jefferson died on the same day, July 4, 1826. This date happened to be the 50th anniversary of the United States.

The Bristol Rhode Island 4th of July Parade is the oldest continuous parade held in the United States, the first being in 1785.

In 1779 July 4th fell on a Sunday, it was moved to July 5th.

In 1870 congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal workers.

In 1938 congress made Independence Day a paid holiday for federal workers.

What is considered to be the most famous and quoted line of the Declaration of Independence?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

This is truly an amazing concept. If everyone in the world lived by this tenet things would be very different. At the very least we here in the United States should live by this since it is the basis of our Constitution, the reason for our independence.

Have a wonderful Independence Day, go to the fireworks, watch the parades, play games, celebrate with friends and family, enjoy wonderful food. You will only be doing what John Adams predicted, although he was 2 days off on his prediction. On July 3, 1776, the day after most had signed the original Declaration of Independence, Mr. Adams wrote this tohis wife Abigail:

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

Flags

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© 2009 Andrea Swiedler. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Andrea Swiedler. If you wish to use something you see here, please email me at andrea@andreswiedler.com with your request. Most likely I will oblige, with a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment. Although imitation is the highest form of flattery, please let me know before you decide to bestow this form of flattery on me! Thank you.

Posted by Andrea Swiedler on 07/02/2009 05:53 PM

Comments (29)

independence day history, facts about 4th of july

Originally posted at: New Milford CT Real Estate Happenings: Independence Day, did you know?

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29 Comments on Independence Day, did you know?

JUL

Proud to be an America. Go easy on the watermelon this 4th Andrea. Hope to sample a couple of those highly nutrious italian sausages with grilled onions and green peppers....hmmm that is the 4th high light before fireworks!

Interesting look at how the holiday came about and how it has evolved. Thanks for the post.

Andy, me too! My hubby brought home the BEST hotdogs tonite, Deutchmacher, I think that is how you spell it. Anyway, I have plans! You have a wonderful holiday yourself.

John, I thought those facts were very interesting. You are very welcome, and thank you!

Over 230 years later, our country still celebrates its birthday exactly the way John Adams envisioned! Excellent post.

Brian, isn't that amazing? He was an insightful man! Thank you for the complement! Have a wonderful Independence Day.

Very nice post, I am ready for the 4th, have a showing that morning( second showing, my listing) then its time to grill out , wife bought the supplies today, watermelon and she told me that I am going to make home made ice cream. The fireworks have been bought too. Take care and have a wonderfull day!!!-------Bart

Andrea, you got me on all of those, and did not even know the one about "Bristol, RI 4th of July Parade the oldest continuous parade held in the United States, the first being in 1785."

I learned a lot of new stuff today.

Great history lesson and you have a nice holiday!

Andrea,,,

Awesome post,

Featured in the Group "Square Pegs!"

Bart, home made ice cream huh? My mulberry tree is loaded with ripe berries, now that would be perfect! Thank you for stopping by, glad you enjoyed the post!

George, and so did I, LOL. Last year I watched the mini series "John Adams" on HBO I think, it was the best! Learned so much new stuff from that too. And any day I learn something is a real good day in my book! Have a wonderful Independence Day!

Sally, thank you, and have a wonderful holiday yourself!

Richard, you are just too kind! I am glad you enjoyed the post. I had fun learning those facts myself. I love the fact we complain when the government moves a holiday, yet in 3 short years they moved it to July 5th for the celebration, LOL. Thank you Mr. Weisser!

Andrea -

Wow....great post! I didn't know any of these factoids! Thanks for getting my patriotic spirit stirring.

We're leaving tomorrow for a couple days at the beach with friends....I can't wait! And the kids are all jazzed about fireworks at the beach....I'm really hoping it doesn't get rained out!

It's funny....I got a request the other day....someone wanting to see a house when we'll be gone.....I thought about changing around my schedule, then thought NO WAY. We NEED this time together! I gave her a few alternative times,, haven't heard back. Probably a lookie-loo anyway.

Sorry for the ramble....I guess this is just my long way of saying Have a Great Fourth!!!

Coleen, I am glad you enjoyed the post! And your weekend sounds wonderful. The ocean is a perfect place to be with your family over the holiday. I guess we will see you when you get back, I am looking forward to reading your posts! Have a wonderful time with the family and say good luck to lookie-loo! Thank you for stopping by!

Hi Andrea ~ Excellent holiday post - love the red, white and blue! And that's just the perfect quote from John Adams. When I researched the history of my house it turned out that it sits on what was an 80 acre farm that Abigail Adams and her sister inherited from their father. I have more research to do to pin down the age of my house - it's definitely the oldest around as far as I can tell but I don't know if it's old enough to be the farmhouse Abigail mentions in her letters. Needless to say I've become an even bigger fan of both John and Abigail.

Liz

Liz, I think John Adams was an amazing man who rather got the shaft. My next trip to the Boston area will include a trip to see their home. But your house was part of her farm? She was amazing too, and was certainly the cliche of the woman behind the man! I am totally jealous of your find about where your house is located, now get on the stick and find out if your house might possibly be hers.. wow.. that would be way too cool!

Thank you for the kind words. I am sure you knew all these things already, LOL. You are one smart cookie!

Oh, and if you find out the house was the one, that's it, we are doing a ghost hunt there!

Andrea, I am going to throw out some of these intersting facts while at parties over the weekend. Boy will I seem like a genius(or will it be geek) anyways, thanks for the fascinating history lesson.

Have a wonderful 4th.

Kim, you are very welcome! And thank you! I would suggest you wait until the crowd has had a few beers, that way they won't notice you looking down at a piece of paper with all these little factoids written on them. Oh wait, that is what I would have to do, LOL.

Have a wonderful Independence Day!

Andrea !

Like Kim I am going to toss out a few of these nuggets this weekend like I knew them for years ! ...so thanks for making me look smarter !

... oh and I love the red white and blue presentation too !

Cheers !

Sheldon

JUL

I did NOT know all of those facts, and I had never heard the comment by James Adams. Thanks for keeping history alive! May God continue to bless America!

Andrea - Wonderful post with so much great information and thanks for sharing!

Have a wonderful 4th of July my friend!

Hi Shel, You will just look so informed, LOL. Thank you, and have a wonderful Independence Day!

Janna, I had fun reading through his letters to Abigail. He was an amazing man to be sure. Thank you for stopping by!

VB, thank you so much! You have a wonderful 4th too! I will wait to see your pictures!

Andrea, what a delightful history lesson! I love the quote by John Adams, he would be proud of the ways we celebrate..........Let Freedom Ring!

Love the way you shared important historical data in a fun and informative way, Andrea! Enjoy those hot dogs...

Caren, thank you. I thought they were interesting facts myself! Have a wonderful Independence Day!

Irene, thank you, and I already am, LOL. You have a fantastic holiday!

Andrea - Cool facts. I knew RI had the oldest parade, the rest was buried in the recess of my mind and would never come forth without looking down at a little piece of paper. ;-) Great post. Happy 4th of July.

Andrea, thank you so much for this history lesson! And I've always thought it amazing that Adams and Jefferson died on the same July 4th.

Judy, somewhere in the dark dark recesses of my mind I might have known the same thing, but I am not sure, LOL. Thank you, and a Happy Independence Day to you too!

Pat, I was sure you would have known all these things, LOL. Happy 4th to you and sweetie pie!

JUL

You'll find two trains of thought about the anniversary of the United States.

Certainly when the colonies ratified the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, they were united in their declaration of independence from the British Empire, However, they were not known as States.

Many people, including me, believe that the "United States of America" was formed/founded on March 1, 1781 under The Articles of Confederation. John Hanson became the first President of the United States under the Articles of Confederation. However, George Washington became the first President of the United States under the Constitution of America in the year 1789. The Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. Nine was the magical number required by Article Seven of the Constitution.

So the United States of America as we know it today was founded on June 21, 1788. That, of course, doesn't negate the history of the colonies and states prior to that date in setting the foundation for the Constitution and the United States of America.

Russel, very interesting information. I had forgotten about this, in the deep recesses of my mind I vaguely remember this.

So, we have another reason to celebrate! Can you be in charge of reminding us on March 1?

Great comment Russel. Thank you!

JUL

I was reading some blog posts back on July 4 and one of them had a link to a cool site where I found out that not all of the representatives to the Constitutional Conventioned actually signed the Constitution document. Many withheld their signatures because they were not happy with federal rights, states' rights, slave rights, etc.

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