Many of us have forgotten the reason we celebrate the 4th of July or Independence Day. During the American Revolution when the American Colonies separated from Great Britain it occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress, voted to approve a resolution of independence in June of 1776 which was originally proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.
After voting for independence, the Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, which was prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, and it was finally approved on July 4, 1776.
Something else that is a remarkable coincidence about this date, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence to later serve our country as President of the United States, both died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which also happened to be the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
In 1777, thirteen gunshots were fired, once in the morning and again as evening fell, on July 4, in Bristol, Rhode Island.
In 1778, General George Washington marked July 4 with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute.
In 1870, the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees.
In 1938, the U. S. Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.
Hence these were the first celebrations of our freedom from Great Britain, and a brief history of the events that transpired into what Independence Day is today.
We would like to extend our best wishes to all and have a safe and happy July 4 Holiday!
