1. On July 4, 1776, the American colonies were declared free and independent States from Great Britain and its king.
2. Did you know it was actually on July 2, 1776, that the Declaration of Independence began? It started with a letter to Britain’s King George to explain why the Continental Congress voted to declare America’s independence.
3. It was on July 4, that the final wording of the declaration was agreed.
4. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Jefferson later served as the third President of America from 1801 to 1809.Coincidentally, Jefferson died on July 4, 1826.
5. Strangely, two other US presidents, John Adams and James Monroe, have also died on July 4.
6. Meanwhile, the 30th president of America, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, 1872.
7. The first Independence Day was celebrated on July 8, 1776, in Philadelphia and the official signing took place on August 2.
8. Every 4th of July the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped – although not actually rung – 13 times in honour of the original 13 American colonies.
9. The stars on the original American flag were in a circle so all the Colonies would appear equal.
10. The White House celebrated Independence Day for the first time in 1801.
11. America’s oldest continuous Independence Day celebration is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol on Rhode Island. This year it will celebrate its 232nd year.
12. The first Independence Day was celebrated by around 2.5 million people compared to more than 316 million people today.
13. Almost 100 years after the Declaration of Independence, in 1870, July 4 was made an official holiday by Congress.
14. Fireworks are a major part of the celebrations because the first Independence Day celebration on July 4, 1777, saw Americans gathering to watch as the sky illuminated to celebrate the new nation.
15. Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird but he was overruled by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who recommended the bald eagle.
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