5 Fascinating Facts About Independence Day That You Probably Didn’t Know

5 Fascinating Facts About Independence Day That You Probably Didn’t Know

As Americans all over the country gear up to celebrate Independence Day, it’s important to take time to reflect on the significance of the occasion. This holiday is more than just a day off from work or an excuse to throw a barbeque with friends and family. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into 5 fascinating facts about Independence Day that you probably didn’t know.

Fact 1: The Declaration of Independence Wasn’t Actually Signed on July 4th

Contrary to popular belief, despite July 4th being the day that the United States declared independence, the Declaration of Independence wasn’t actually signed on that day. In fact, most of the signers didn’t actually sign until August 2nd, 1776, more than a month after the initial declaration was made. Even John Hancock, the first person to sign the declaration, didn’t do so until August 2nd.

Fact 2: The “Star-Spangled Banner” Was Written During the War of 1812

Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to what would eventually become the United States’ national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” during the War of 1812. The poem was inspired by Key’s observations of the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after a British bombardment. Key was so moved by the sight that he wrote the poem, which was later set to music and became the national anthem in 1931.

Fact 3: July 2nd Might Be More Historically Accurate Than July 4th

While July 4th is considered the day that the Declaration of Independence was made, some historians argue that July 2nd might be more historically accurate. This is because July 2nd was the day that the Continental Congress actually voted in favor of declaring independence. July 4th was simply the day that the declaration was officially adopted and made public.

Fact 4: John Adams Predicted That July 2nd Would Be Celebrated as Independence Day

John Adams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, famously predicted that July 2nd would be celebrated as Independence Day in a letter he wrote to his wife, Abigail, on July 3rd, 1776. In the letter, he wrote, “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.”

Fact 5: Independence Day Wasn’t Always a Federal Holiday

While most Americans assume that Independence Day has always been a federal holiday, this wasn’t actually the case. It wasn’t until 1870, nearly a century after the first Independence Day celebration, that Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday. Interestingly, it wasn’t until 1938 that Congress made Independence Day a paid federal holiday for federal employees.

In conclusion, Independence Day is a holiday that holds a special place in the hearts of Americans. By learning more about the history behind this important occasion, we can deepen our appreciation for everything that our country stands for.

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