The Declaration of Independence was written on a laptop (and other fun facts)
I didn’t move to the USA until I was in my 30’s, but after I did, Independence Day became one of my favorite American holidays for many reasons: It’s summer and an occasion to take time off work to relax, toss back a few drinks, bbq and watch fireworks with your family and friends. Although the day has been a cause for joy ever since the Declaration Of Independence was signed, you may appreciate the history of Independence Day just a little more with these interesting 4th of July facts:
June 11, 1776 Congress appointed a committee of five men to draft a Declaration of Independence. The committee members were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman and Thomas Jefferson
Although it is widely believed that America declared their independence on 4th of July, 1776, the vote actually took place two days earlier on July 2, 1776. The “Declaration” was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th, but wasn’t signed by most signatories until August 2, 1776.
The Declaration was written on a ‘laptop’. Okay, not the modern day laptop, but Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration on a writing desk that could fit over one’s lap. The desk was referred to at the time as a “laptop”.
John Adams wanted the American independence to be celebrated on July 2, as that was the actual day the Continental Congress voted for independence. Annoyed that Independence day wasn’t celebrated on July 2nd, he reportedly turned down invitations to July 4th celebrations throughout his life.
The first Independence Day celebration took place on July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia. It featured a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, which was announced by the ringing of the Liberty Bell.
Massachusetts was the first state to make 4th of July an official state holiday in 1781, but Independence Day didn’t become a Federal holiday until 1870 and it wasn’t until 1938 that Congress reaffirmed it as a paid holiday for federal employees.
Descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence tap the Liberty Bell 13 times in honor of the original 13 colonies every July 4th.
In 1958 the official American flag was created by Robert G. Heft, who was 16 years old at the time. He was given an assignment by his History teacher to redesign the American flag as both Alaska and Hawaii neared statehood. Robert used the old 48-star flag and $2.87 worth of blue cloth and white iron-on material for his design, which earned him a B-. However, he challenged his grade by sending it to President Dwight D Eisenhower at the White House, where his flag was selected amongst thousands of flags. After Robert’s flag had been selected by the White House, his grade was changed to an A. Robert’s design became the official flag in 1960.
Wearing a t-shirt, shorts, headbands or any other items that represent the U.S. flag is in fact a violation of the U.S. Flag Code.
The song “Yankee Doodle” was originally sung by the British army to make fun of the Americans.
Modern day Americans eat Hamburgers and hotdogs on the 4th of july, but John Adams and his wife celebrated with turtle soup. New Englanders enjoyed poached salmon with egg sauce, green peas and boiled potatoes for their 4th of July meal in 1776. To this day Salmon is still enjoyed in parts of New England on 4th of July.
4th of July is one of the country’s top drinking holidays with roughly $1.6 billion spent together on beer and wine.
According to the American Pyrotechnicians Association, Americans spend more than a billion dollars on fireworks each year for the 4th of July.
The top Google search relating to the 4th of July is ‘4th of July fireworks’ followed by ‘4th of July BBQ’.
The top related hashtags for 4th of July are:
#july4th #independenceday #4thofjuly #fireworks #america #usa #fourthofjuly #summer #july #freedom #redwhiteandblue #love #merica #holiday #instagood #photography #party #nyc #happy4th #unitedstates #family #happy4thofjuly #godblessamerica #travel #photooftheday #celebrate #bbq #music #summertime #july4
And with the 4th of July now behind us, we can look forward to our next Federal holiday which ends the summer: “Labor Day”. Perhaps a little less fun and festive, but nonetheless a very welcomed day giving the American workers a day of rest.