Some things just get better with age. A fine scotch, wine, and cheese are few instances of this interesting phenomenon. Land, culture, and values have their place too; they also can get better as they age. Our home, the United States of America, is a living and breathing example of what it means to grow old gracefully. She, America, that is, will be 240 years old on July 4, 2016.
In our culture, we celebrate our nation’s birthday in a grand and glorious way. There are parades, music, dancing, barbecues, and a spectacular fireworks show for the finale. Family and friends come from near and far, to gather for America’s big birthday party. They reminisce about old times and discuss things to come. The fun can last as long as people want to celebrate. There are no rules, only traditions on how Americans celebrate Independence Day. The colloquial frame of reference is the 4th of July.
There are some interesting and fun facts about this holiday that you may not know. Did you know that Independence Day is really on July 2? According to Kenneth C. Davis, author of the Don’t Know Much About, series wrote, in 1776, Congress ruled in favor of Independence Day on the July 2. Congress did not ratify Thomas Jefferson’s declaration until the 4th. It is believed that this confusion is why we celebrate on the 4th instead of the 2nd. In a letter to his wife, John Adams suggested that we celebrate this great day with parades, pomp, and fireworks.
Did you know that the Declaration of Independence was drafted on a laptop made of wood? Only two men signed this document on July 4, 1776, it was John Hancock — not the big signature, and Charles Thompson, the secretary of the Congress. According to Davis, Jefferson changed the wording of the Declaration of Independence from “the pursuit of property,” to “the pursuit of happiness.” To this day, Americans live in the pursuit of happiness.
Jefferson’s original handwritten draft of the Declaration of Independence was lost. The engrossed version was signed and is kept at the National Archives. There were 200 printed versions of this document, called the Dunlap Broadside, and only 27 remain. One was found behind a picture frame at a tag sale and sold at auction for $8.4 million to television producer Norman Lear. It now travels the country for the public to see.
Did you know that President Barack Obama and his oldest daughter Malia read an excerpt from The Declaration of Independence together at the Jefferson Memorial on September 27, 2009? This is the first time in our nation’s history that a standing president and his child read the Declaration of Independence in unison.
Sources Cited
http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/independence-day-fun-facts-you-may-not-know-about-july-4/2/. Web 6.21.16
