Today, on Independence Day, Americans celebrate the anniversary of publication of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. But actually we should be celebrating on the 2nd of July instead of the 4th, as that is when Continental Congress voted in favor of the resolution for independence. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence, which is the date on the document, even though most of the signers penned their names on August 2nd.

The famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia didn’t ring on the 4th but on July 8, 1776 during the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. General George Washington didn’t know the declaration was official until July 9 and King George didn’t hear the news until mid-August.

In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday but John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. (James Monroe also died on July 4th in 1831.)

So enjoy today’s celebrations and traditions and Happy 4th of July to Everyone!

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