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Why we celebrate the Fourth of July
Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which was written by Thomas Jefferson, who later served as the third president of the United States, and signed by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence started the 13 colonies: Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, and Virginia, on the road to being a free and sovereign nation, the United States of America.
Massachusetts signers of the Declaration were John Hancock, Samuel Adams (for whom North Adams and Adams were named) John Adams, John Treat Paine, and Elbridge Gerry. John Adams was the first Vice President and the Second President of the United States. He wrote to his wife, “I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other...” John Adams may have predicted the later Independence Day celebrations or perhaps he started our traditions with his words.
From July 8, 1776, until the next month, the Declaration of Independence was read publicly and people celebrated whenever they heard it. The next year, in Philadelphia, bells rang and ships fired guns, candles and firecrackers were lighted. But the War of Independence dragged on until 1783, and in that year, Independence Day was made an official holiday. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the signing. Another former President, John Monroe, also died on July 4, five years later. In 1941 Congress declared the 4th of July a federal holiday.
Flag Facts
Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. It is not clear who actually designed it, but the experts at the Betsy Ross House suggest it was Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The current flag has 13 stripes representing the original 13 colonies (7 red and 6 white). In the upper left corner is a navy blue field with 50 white stars that represents the states.
There is no official designation or record of the meaning of the colors of the flag.
When the Great Seal of the United States was chosen, this is what was listed for them: white for purity and innocence, red for valor and hardiness, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Folktales say that George Washington interpreted the flag in this way: the stars were taken from the sky, the red from the British colors, and the white stripes signified the secession from the home country.