america

On this date in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the United States of America.

This brought our country independence from Great Britain (well, that and the Revolutionary War).

This holiday is often celebrated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, picnics etc. This is our national day — well, for those of us in the States.

It’s also another holiday that makes us, as a country, take note of other things — such as the men and women who serve our country every day. Especially those who put their lives on the lines in different parts of the world and, of course, for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

This (meaning the blog) isn’t a place to get political, either.

So, no matter what side you are on, if you are American, you should celebrate this day.

But no matter what you are doing this fine day, take a moment to reflect and thank those who continue to make this possible.

Did you know, though, that the Declaration of Independence was actually approved in a closed session of Congress on July 2? But the date on the Declaration was July 4, so that’s when we celebrate.

According to several sources, Wikipedia included, historians have disputed the days. Most historians have agreed that July 2 was the date.

How about this piece of trivia about July 4 – John Adams and Thomas Jefferson – the only signers who later became President of the United States, each died on July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.

Calvin Coolidge is the only president to have been born on July 4.

Other items

July 4 isn’t just a day of American independence.

A lot of things, historically, have happened on that day. In our normal calendar, July 4 is the 185th day of the year (though, because of leap year, it is 186 in 2012). We are actually closer to 2013 than we are to the beginning of 2012.

I went peeking around the Internet to see some interesting days over history that occurred on July 4. Here are a few:

• 993: Saint Ulrich of Augsburg is canonized.
• 1634: The city of Trois-Rivières is founded in New France, which is now known as Quebec in Canada.
• 1636: The city of Providence, in Rhode Island, is formed.
• 1754: The French and Indian War – George Washington surrenders Fort Necessity.
• 1802: West Point opens (United States Military Academy)
• 1803: The Louisianna Purchase is announced to the American public.
• 1817: The Erie Canal begins being constructed in Rome, NY.
• 1827: Slavery is abolished in New York.
• 1862: Lewis Carroll tells Alice Liddell a story that would eventually become Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
• 1863: The Army of Northern Virginia withdraws after getting whipped at Gettysburg, which was the end to the southern invasion of the north.
• 1865: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is published.
• 1886: France offers the Statue of Liberty to the United States.
• 1886: The first scheduled Canadian transcontinental train arrives in Port Moody, BC.
• 1910: African-American boxer Jack Johnson knocks out white boxer Jim Jeffries in a heavyweight prize fight. The result sets off race riots throughout the United States.
• 1918: Bolsheviks kill Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family.
• 1939: Lou Gehrig gives his “Luckiest man on the face of the Earth,” speech at Yankee Stadium.
• 1946: The Philippines becomes fully independent from the United States.
• 1960: A new flag is unveiled in the United States, now showing 50 stars with the inclusion of Hawaii as a state (which happened on Aug. 21, 1959).
• 1966: President Lyndon Johnson signs the Freedom of Information Act into law.
• 2006: The Statue of Liberty’s crown reopens to the public. It had been closed for eight years because of security concerns following 9/11.

How about some more trivia? Two of the most prominent advice columnists in American history – Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren – were born on July 4, 1918.

In the end, for many people, July 4 is nothing more than another day on the calendar. In the United States, of course, we get the day off from work. Well, most people do. Many don’t because of their chosen professions.

Others choose to celebrate with barbecues, parties, fireworks or whatever else.

But for those of us in the USA, we should still remember what this day signifies.

So when you are out tossing back a few cold ones, watching a game or “oooohing” and “ahhhhing” each time some loud and bright fireworks light up the night, remember what this country had to do to become what it is. We may have issues in our country and others around the world may not dig us (at least as a country), but we are who we are and we should be proud of it.\

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!