History of Our History

This is the day of backyard parties, parades and fireworks. It is the day to celebrate the birth of our nation.

Did you know that the first day of our nation's independence wasn't July 4,1776? The Continental Congress actually voted and passed independence from the British on July 2, 1776, as published in the Pennsylvania Evening Post.

As we celebrate Independence Day, we should realize that July 4 is perhaps the day that the Declaration of Independence was signed. As reported the following day, copies of the Declaration of Independence were distributed by The Pennsylvania Evening Post and on July 8, the first public reading was held at Philadelphia’s Independence Square. (source: A Capital Fourth, PBS)

Many believe that the Declaration of Independence was signed by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin on July 4, but the date could be wrong. As later researched by historians, it is believed that it wasn’t until August 2 that the signing took place (after waiting for a clean copy of the document) and with little or no pomp, circumstance or fanfare.

In the days before Twitter and email, the nation didn't immediately know it was free. George Washington’s Army in New York learned on July 9, Georgia got the news on August 10 and, perhaps most surprising, the British in London did not learn of this until August 30.

According to History.com, early celebrations of independence included “mock funerals of King George III, as a way of symbolizing the end of the monarchy’s hold on America and the triumph of liberty.”

Philadelphia was the first city to commemorate the nation's birth, when George Washington issued rum in extra rations to the soldiers of the Revolutionary War on July 4, 1777. During the one-year anniversary, Philadelphia Congress took the day off and marked the date with bells and fireworks – perhaps beginning our current traditions.

Did you know?

• Massachusetts was the first to make July 4 an official state holiday.
• Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of Independence Day.
• John Adams is said to have turned down all invitations to appear at July 4 events, since he believed July 2 to be the true date to celebrate.
• Congress passed the holiday in 1870, but July 4 wasn’t a paid federal holiday until 1941.
• The first July 4 celebration in the West was celebrated by Lewis and Clark in Independence Creek, ID in 1804.
• July 4, 1960 marks the debut of the 50-star American flag after Hawaii was granted statehood.
• In 1942, celebratory fireworks were cancelled in most cities due to war blackouts.
• The oldest continuous Independence celebration has taken place in Bristol, RI, since 1785.