We celebrate the Fourth of July every year because it's an important holiday recognizing the day the U.S. gained independence. Last year we gave you a few different ways to celebrate, but this year we're going to do that and a little bit more!
On June 28, 1870, Independence Day became a federal holiday, and in 1941 it became a paid holiday for federal employees. However, people have been celebrating the 4th of July since the American Revolution. As we look back in history, one crucial factor that contributed to this holiday is that the Continental Congress came together and voted for the 13 colonies’ independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776.
Two days later, the delegates adopted and signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This document was primarily drafted by none other than Thomas Jefferson and remains one of the most famous documents in history.
The Fourth of July is now known as the birth of America's independence, and for that, you can agree it's something to rejoice about!
Sign Right Here
According to reputable historians, everyone who needed to sign the Declaration of Independence was not present during the signing to place their signatures. This means that some of the signatures placed on the document were done later.
In total, 56 men signed the document; the first was John Hancock. He was the President of the Congress from Massachusetts, and not only was he the first to sign, but his signature was also the largest. Because of this, when people ask you for your signature, you might notice they ask for your "John Hancock."
While Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration, the oldest of the signers was Benjamin Franklin at 70 years old. Thomas Lynch Jr. and Edward Rutledge, two 26-year-olds from South Carolina, were the youngest. While many of those signings did agree with what the Declaration stood for, there was one that thought they were moving prematurely.
Robert Livingston was one of the contributors to the creation of the Declaration, but because he thought it was too soon to declare the nation's independence, he was one of the men who didn't sign the document.
Ways to Celebrate Independence
One of the best ways to show patriotism is to spend time with family and friends doing things like eating and watching your favorite patriotic movies. Many movies that fit under this genre are sure to be playing on the Fourth, and it should be easy to find one with plenty of history and some fun!
All you've got to do is choose a movie and ensure you have plenty of snacks for everyone to munch on throughout the movie. Of course, you can't forget the fireworks, but we urge you to read all directions before lighting them! We're celebrating and want everyone to remain safe while participating in various celebratory activities.
Another way to celebrate is to find out where you can attend a flag-hoisting event in your community. Typically, these types of events are held at a school in the area or another locality. The wonderful part of doing this is not only bringing recognition to the day, but you also get to spend some time connecting with others in your community.
We hope you enjoy the festivities! We've got tons of resources to view that can help you educate yourself and others on the importance of the Fourth of July and the country that has grown since its signing. As always, Gallopade blogs is the place to be if you want more access to exciting information and facts.