On the 4th of July we celebrate the Declaration of Independence which was actually approved by the delegates of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 2, 1776.
On July 4, 1776, the delegates voted for the Declaration a second time, gave a public reading on the 8th and officially signed on August 2.
The final draft of July 4, 1776 saw 9 of the representatives of the 13 colonies vote yes, 2 vote no-Pennsylvania and South Carolina, Delaware voted undecided and New York abstained.
There were approximately 2.5 million people living in the 13 colonies.
John Adams, believing the 2nd would be the anniversary date, wrote to his wife, Abigail, "The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more."
The first Independence Day celebration was held on July 4, 1777.
Calvin Coolidge was the only American president to be born on the 4th of July, however 3 others died on the 4th of July-John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe.
Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Souza, written in 1896.
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