July 4 – Independence Day in the U. S. A.

July 4, 2021

Posted on July 4, 2021

This is an update of my post published on July 4, 2010:

On this day in 1776, the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain by signing the Declaration of Independence.

Actually, history is a messy subject because sometimes differing stories cast doubt on what really happened, and exactly when it happened. John Adams wrote to his wife that July 2nd would always be remembered because that was the date that the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. But the date on the Declaration was July 4th, so that is the date that has always been celebrated, from 1777 on. Also, although Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they signed the Declaration on July 4th, historical evidence actually suggests that the signing occurred on August 2nd.

July 4 - Independence Day in the U. S. A.

At any rate, the Fourth of July is celebrated in the U.S. with family get-togethers, parades, speeches, and fireworks – for many, this year, modified by continuing worries about COVID-19.

Did you know…?

The only two men who signed the Declaration of Independence and then later served as Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died on July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the alleged signing of the Declaration. Weird, huh?

Actually, a third president died on July 4. In addition to
John Adams (left) and Thomas Jefferson (center), our
fifth president, Jame Monroe, died on July 4, 1831.

Obviously, Monroe didn’t die the same year as Adams and
Jefferson, and he wasn’t a signer of the Declaration – but
we can say that three of the first five U.S. presidents died
on the birthday of the U.S.!

Celebrate!

Make a fireworks picture using glitter on black construction paper. Find the instructions here.

If you’re in the mood for patriotic activities and puzzles, find some here.