As your family gathers to celebrate the birth of our great nation, take time to reflect on the meaning of this annual celebration to commemorate the strength, courage and faith of our founding fathers in pursuit of liberty.

Because of our forefathers, we are able to spend today in joy, celebration and happiness.

Here are a few facts about July 4^th:

(1)  Although, Independence Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, it was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.

(2)  George Washington did not sign the Declaration of Independence.  Washington was already in New York commanding troops when the Declaration was signed and adopted.

(3)  During the Revolutionary War, things were going badly, that without French help, we would have lost the war and there would be no America.  France provided a navy, troops and 90 percent of the gunpowder the Patriots used.

(4)  It was during the War of 1812 that Uncle Sam first appeared on the scene.  He appeared on supply containers.  But our U. S. Congress didn't adopt him as a national symbol until 1961.

(5)  There has been more than one Liberty Bell.  The first two versions were defective and were melted down and recast.  Our present version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1835, when it cracked as it was being tolled to mark the death of a Chief Justice.