4th of July: The Ultimate Birthday Celebration

A day that is observed worldwide but only celebrated here. Let the festivities begin! I did a little fact-finding mission gathering a handful of “did you knows” just in time for your ultimate 4th of July birthday celebration. Enjoy!

- The idea of fireworks (illuminations) to celebrate Independence Day came from John Adams. He wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776, one day before the adoption of the Declaration, that “it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as they great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” In fact, concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of canons took place along with early readings of the Declaration of Independence, long before the Revolutionary War was won in 1789.
- The first Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, with parades fireworks, and thirteen-gun salutes in honor of each state.
- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, our second and third presidents, both died on the 50th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1826.
- In 1778 General George Washington issued a double ration of rum to his soldiers on July 4th and further celebrated with an artillery salute.
- In 1781 Massachusetts became the first state to recognize July 4th as a state celebration.
- In 1870, Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees. It became a paid federal holiday in 1938.

- The idea of fireworks (illuminations) to celebrate Independence Day came from John Adams. He wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776, one day before the adoption of the Declaration, that “it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as they great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” In fact, concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of canons took place along with early readings of the Declaration of Independence, long before the Revolutionary War was won in 1789.
- The first Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, with parades fireworks, and thirteen-gun salutes in honor of each state.
- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, our second and third presidents, both died on the 50th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1826.
- In 1778 General George Washington issued a double ration of rum to his soldiers on July 4th and further celebrated with an artillery salute.
- In 1781 Massachusetts became the first state to recognize July 4th as a state celebration.
- In 1870, Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees. It became a paid federal holiday in 1938.