The United States Turns 238 Years Old

The Second Continental Congress accepted the Declaration of Independence in the first few days of July, 1776.  That document officially separated the 13 colonies of the United States from the rule of Great Britain. It also escalated the war between England and the U.S.

Officially, the document was accepted on July 2nd, revised and released on July 4th. The first public presentation was done during a reading in a public square July 8th in Philadelphia. Using the fourth day of July as the country’s birthday wasn’t always accepted. In fact, John Adams, patriot and future U.S. president, always argued that July 2nd needed to be the official day of the Declaration of Independence.

So take your pick of the best date to use, but tradition has firmly established the Fourth of July as the birthday of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration, and ironically he died July 4, 1826, just hours after John Adams died on the same historic date. A third former president, James Monroe, died July 4, 1831.

The term “Independence Day” was not officially used until 1791. Long before then, however, celebrations throughout the country to recognize our separation from England became common.

Fireworks became a part of the July 4th celebration quickly after the Declaration of Independence was ratified. The noise and spectacular beauty of colorful explosives keeps getting bigger every year with major cities trying to compete with each other.  

John Adams described how the day should be celebrated in a July 3, 1776, letter to his wife Abigail. Adams said the day should have “pomp, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations.”

Fireworks displays held all over the country bring credibility to Adams’ sentiments. He was among the 56 patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Congress encouraged the use of fireworks on the country’s birthday and authorized a display in 1777 in Philadelphia. It was described in the local newspapers as an exhibition “which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons.” Boston had its first municipal display on July 4, 1779.     Major cities continued to provide organized displays. They were meager, compared to the pyrotechnic displays that cost tens of thousands of dollars to shoot off today.  

Colonialists used fireworks around their neighborhoods the same way many of us do today. An important difference was the danger of homemade fireworks used to celebrate the birth of the new republic we call the United States. Black powder was common and used in the firearms of the colonists. It also provided the explosive effects used in fireworks. Severe burns and deadly accidents resulted from the use of highly unstable black powder.

In 1870, Congress made July 4th an official, unpaid holiday. In 1938, the federal government made the 4th of July a paid holiday. Today’s government employees get the holiday on a Friday or Monday if the 4th falls on a weekend.

King George III named the men who signed the Declaration criminals and enemies of Great Britain.  They would be executed if captured. We admire them as patriots.

The average age of the signers was 45 years. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest at 70. Edward Rutledge was the youngest and signed the document when he was 26 years old.

Celebrate our country’s birthday by spending time with your family and friends at a cookout. Watch professional fireworks displays, and avoid the dangers of fireworks at home. Fly a U.S. flag outside your home. 

Thank you for reading this blog. Visit my web site for information about my book “The Device.” It’s also available as an e-book on Amazon.  Check this place for another subject during the first part of July.