JULY
Named to honor Roman dictator Julius Caesar (100 B.C.-44 B.C.). In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar made one of his greatest contributions to history: With the help of Sosigenes, he developed the Julian calendar; the precursor to the Gregorian calendar that we use today.
Learn the meaning behind the 4th of July and a brief history of the day, then see if you know some fun facts and trivia.
WHEN IS INDEPENDENCE DAY?
On the 4th of July, the United States observes a federal holiday in honor of the Declaration of Independence. This holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by delegates from the 13 colonies.
Note: If the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday, the federal observed holiday is the following Monday, July 5. If the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, the observed holiday for most (but not all) federal employees is Friday, July 3.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Declaration of Independence is America’s revolutionary Charter of Freedom and the document upon which the nation’s founding principles were established.
The Declaration of Independence is America’s revolutionary Charter of Freedom and the document upon which the nation’s founding principles Were established.
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. It was an official act taken by all 13 American colonies in declaring independence from British rule.
The document Was originally Written by Thomas Jefferson, but Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, along With Jefferson, then worked together to make changes.
Here is an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence (U.S., 1776):
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.
MORE FOURTH OF JULY HISTORY
– July 4, 1776: Thomas Jefferson noted in his “Weather Memorandum Book” that the Weather was cloudy, the temperature was 76F.
-July 4, 1826: Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson-signers of the Declaration of
Independence who each later became president-died on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the declaration.
– July 4, 1884: The Statue of Liberty was formally presented to the United States by the people of France.
4TH OF JULY TRIVIA
While we celebrate with fireworks, let’s not forget the freedom that our founding fathers declared to the world over two centuries ago. Here are some fun facts you may not know about the holiday:
Q. Why is the name “John Hancock” synonymous with “your signature”?
A: Hancock’s bold signature on the Declaration of Independence dwarfed the signatures of the other signers. Legend says that Hancock wanted the king of England to see the rebellious signature without having to wear his spectacles!
Q: How many people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4?
A: Only two men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776-John Hancock, president of the Congress, and Charles Thompson, secretary of the Congress.
Q: On what day did most people sign the Declaration of Independence?
The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence occurred primarily on August 2, 1776 at the Pennsylvania State House, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Q When The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day become a national Holiday?
A: The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.
Q: Is anything written on the back of the Declaration of Independence?
A: Yes, the message “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776” is written upside down on the back of the Declaration of Independence.
Q: Where is the Declaration of Independence document today?
A: Thomas Jefferson’s original draft Was lost and the one eventually signed is the “engrossed” document. It is kept at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., for all to see.
Of the 200 printed copies of the Declaration made by John Dunlap (the Dunlap Broadsides), only 27 are accounted for. One of these was found in the back of a picture frame at a tag sale and sold at auction for $8.14 million to television producer Norman Lear in 2000. It traveled the country on display to the public for ten years.
Q: Where was George Washington when the Declaration of Independence was written?
A: In July 1776, Washington was in New York with his troops. On July 9, he received his copy of the Declaration With a note from John Hancock telling Washington to share the news with his soldiers. The men were so excited that they rushed over to the Bowling Green and tore down the statue of King George III. Shortly after this, the British, as Washington expected, attacked the colonists and the American Revolution was under Way. The colonists fought eight long, hard years (1775-83) for independence from Britain.
Source: The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 2022
