Here are some Fourth of July facts to think about as you are enjoying a barbecue with a slice of pie:
- John Adams thought that July 2nd would be the day we would celebrate our nation's birth. July 2nd happened to be the day that the Continental Congress ruled in favor of independence. The Continental Congress accepted Jefferson's Declaration of Independence on July 4.
- Americans have been celebrating the Fourth for quite some time. In fact, Philadelphia held a large celebration on the day in 1777 including a canon salute, fireworks, bonfires and a parade.
- The Continental Congress actually charged a committee including Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston and John Adams with the task of drafting the declaration. Jefferson was considered the most eloquent writer in the group and crafted the original document.
- John Phillip Sousa, famous for composing some of the marches we hear on the Fourth, also composed 10 operas and wrote 3 novels and an autobiography
Thanks to the Huffington Post and PBS with putting together so many fun facts!
Happy Fourth of July!
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