For many, the 4th of July is an excuse to relax in the sun, toss back a few drinks, watch some hometown softball, and watch fireworks, but the history of Independence Day is much richer and more exciting than one might believe.
We didn’t actually declare independence on the 4th of July. One of the greatest misconceptions of the 4th of July lies in the name and date. It is widely believed that America declared their independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. However, the official vote actually took place two days before and the “Declaration” was published in papers on July 4.
Only two men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Charles Thompson and the infamous John Hancock were the only ones who actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The other 54 delegates signed over the course of the next month.
One of those who signed, later recanted the Declaration of Independence. Richard Stockton, a lawyer from New Jersey, became the only signer of the Declaration of Independence to recant his support of the revolution after being captured by the British in November 1776 and thrown in jail. After years of abusive treatment, and his recanting of loyalties, Stockton was released to find all of his property destroyed or stolen by the British. His library, one of the finest in the colonies, was burned to the ground.
The average age of the signers was 45 years. Of the 56 signers, the youngest signers, Thomas Lynch Jr. and Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, were only 26. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer at 70 years old.
Three presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence died on July 4 –John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe, who served as US’s second, third and fifth president, respectively. Thomas Jefferson, 82, and John Adams, 90, both died on July 4, 1826 within five hours of each other on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Though the holiday might seem like it had it out for former presidents, there was one future leader born on Independence Day. The country’s 30th Commander-in-Chief, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, 1872.
Did you know that there is something written on the back of the Declaration of Independence, and no, it isn’t a treasure map written in invisible ink? According to the History Channel, a simple message is written upside-down across the bottom of the signed document that reads, “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776.” According to the same article, no one knows who wrote this or when, but it was believed to have been added as a label during the years of the Revolutionary War when parchment was frequently rolled up for transport.
The Designer of the 50-Star Flag Lived in Lancaster, Ohio. In 1958, a history teacher assigned a class assignment to redesign the national flag as both Alaska and Hawaii neared statehood. Robert G. Heft, who was 16 at the time, designed a new flag using the old 48-star flag and $2.87 worth of blue cloth and white iron-on material. His design earned him a B-minus to which he challenged by sending it to Washington D.C. to be considered by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. According to his obituary, Heft was one of thousands to submit a flag design but he was the only person who actually stitched together a flag and ship it to D.C. Once the flag was selected, Heft’s grade was changed to an A. His design became the official flag in 1960.
Americans will enjoy 150 million hot dogs over the 4th. According to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council (NHDSC), Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday.
So, come to Cascade’s 4th of July softball tournament/BBQ and enjoy your hot dog. Matter of fact stop on by the softball tournament on Sunday July 3rd. Games start at 4:30 with peanuts and hot dogs. Then carry on over to the 4th for the same with games starting at 8:30. Got to be an early riser for those, but we will have breakfast food and coffee for those that are in the need.
We love fireworks – $1 Billion worth. Fireworks date back as a tradition of Independence Day as early as the first anniversary in 1777. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans spend more than $1 billion on fireworks each year. Out of this, only 10% of firework displays are set off professionally, which probably accounts for the estimated 12,900 firework-related emergency room visits across the country.
So, add your numbers (not the ER visits!, but the amount spent on buying these fabulous displays) to this total and buy your fireworks from Cascade’s Lions Club who will have their booth across from the old NAPA store on Main Street. Celebrate the 4th in style and a little bit of dazzling, blazing, shimmering, glittering, sparkling, glowing, glimmering, and twinkling. (Thought you needed some thesaurus there to add a bang to your day!)
The very first 4th of July fireworks show took place in Philadelphia in 1777. Independence Day was once celebrated on July 5. The holiday fell on a Sunday in 1779, so the country celebrated on July 5th instead. Stay or come to Cascade’s fabulous display on the night of the 4th. Matter of fact come to the softball games, stay for the delicious BBQ, eat your hot dogs all day long, and then cuddle under a blanket for the best display this side of the Mississippi, or at least around here.
An estimated 2.5 million people lived in the nation in July 1776. As of July 2021, about 331.8 million people live in the U.S., according to the United States Census. Guess we added a person or two.
The Liberty Bell rings 13 times every Independence Day to honor the 13 original states. Descendants of people who signed the Declaration of Independence tap the bell, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 2 p.m. eastern time every 4th of July.
Did you know there are 33 places in the United States with the word “liberty” in their names? According to the U.S. Census, four of them are counties — Georgia, Florida, Montana and Texas have a Liberty County.
Massachusetts recognized the Fourth of July as an official holiday on July 3, 1781, making it the first state to do so. July 4th was not deemed a federal holiday until 1870. Congress didn’t begin designating federal holidays until June 28, 1870, with the first four being New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They decreed that those days were holidays for federal employees. However, the Fourth was a holiday “within the District of Columbia” only. It took years of legislation to expand the holiday to all federal employees.
Volunteer and support our wonderful free activities around the 4th, whether they be the softball games or the fireworks display. Even love the pool. Stop and appreciate the day. Take time just to enjoy life. There are Oceans of Possibilities to Seas the Day with a great book.