The Second of July.

The Continental Congress voted to declare independence from England on July 2, 1776, but the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted two days later, after all the edits and changes were made. John Adams, later the second President, believed that July 2 should be the day to celebrate “the great anniversary festival.” In fact, he believed it so strongly that he protested by turning down invitations to events on the 4^th.

Food and Fireworks.

That same John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that the day “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 Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” I don’t know that we Americans have kept up with the devotion to God part, but we have with the festivals and “illuminations.”  The very first anniversary of Independence Day in Philadelphia in 1777 included a fireworks show, a dinner, and even a parade. Now, New York City hosts the biggest fireworks display, but many other cities and even small towns put on fireworks shows for their residents. This year, Americans are expected to spend $9.9 billion on food for Independence Day and over $2 billion on fireworks.

Not a Good Day for Presidents.

Three Presidents of the United States, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe, all died on the Fourth of July. Adams and Jefferson, who were both signers of the Declaration of Independence, died on the same day, the 50^th anniversary of Independence Day, and Monroe died five years later.

Liberty Bell Still Rings.

No one could ever know the real numbers, but there are tens to hundreds of thousands of descendants of the signers of the Declaration living now. Each year, a few children who are in those family lines are given the opportunity to ceremonially ring the Liberty Bell on the fourth of July. They tap the bell thirteen times at 2 p.m. every Independence Day to honor the original thirteen states.

If you’ve learned anything from reading this, share it with others. Celebrate this Fourth of July safely and gratefully.

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