Posts Tagged Declaration of Independence

Small Town, U.S.A. (Photo by Zim)

I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July! It’s one of my favorite holidays. Whether it’s the flag-lined streets, the abundance of red, white and blue, fireworks or the overall patriotic sentiment, it’s also a good time to think about all those serving overseas and their families, both now and in the past, and to remember that our freedom was far from cheap. Additionally, I think it’s a good time to remember that America was founded not just on those fighting but also on the working class. On the farmers, teachers, truck drivers, factory workers, secretaries, gas station attendants, nurses, etc…. Those that put food on our plates, technology in our hands and bandages on our skinned knees as well as those fighting on the country’s behalf. America is the “Land of the Free” because farmers picked up pitchforks to defend it. The ideals that we defend so adamantly today. This day marks the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’ adoption of The Declaration of Independence. That document holds some of the famous and well-known words ever written. Words that still resonate in the hearts of all Americans and I hope that as you celebrate today, you feel as lucky as I feel about living in the “Land of the Free.”

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.

Fourth of July Fun Facts in a Flash

“The Star-Spangled Banner” was actually a poem – Francis Key Scott wrote the poem after the War of 1812. Only later were his words put to music, and then in 1931, the song became our national anthem.

Three of our founding fathers died on July 4. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passed away in 1826 on the 50th anniversary of our independence. Five years later, James Monroe died on the same day.

The United States Congress made the Fourth a federal holiday in 1870.

Ben Franklin wanted a turkey as the U.S. animal stating that it was a “bird of courage.” However, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson outvoted him and chose the bald eagle.

Before hot dogs became the popular food, the go to summertime specialty was turtle soup. It was a must-have on any July 4 menu in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Philadelphia held the first large-scale public display of fireworks in honor of our independence in 1777. Fireworks originated in tenth-century China, when a cook mistakenly added various chemicals together. What resulted was the first man-made explosion of sparks.

In 1776, 2.5 million people lived in the United States. Since then, the population has grown to more than 313 million. The Census Bureau projects that 439 million Americans will celebrate July 4 in 2050.

Declaration of Independence Pop Quiz:

• Who was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence?
• Who was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence?
• How many of the signers were born in Great Britain?
• Which two future Presidents signed the Declaration of Independence?
• Who was the longest-lived (and last surviving) signatory of the Declaration of Independence?
• How many men signed the Declaration of Independence?
• How many of the signers were clergymen?