Independence Day, did you know?

Independence Day, did you know?

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."

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