We’ve compiled some fun facts about Independence Day that you can use to impress your friends while watching fireworks and celebrating America’s birthday.
- Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a “laptop” – that is, a writing desk that could fit in his lap.
- Jefferson changed the wording of the Declaration of Independence from “the pursuit of property” to “the pursuit of happiness.”
- John Adams and Jefferson, both signers of the Declaration of Independence, died on July 4, 1826. James Monroe also died on July 4th in 1831.
- Only two people actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 – John Hancock and Charles Thompson.
- Congress declared July 4th as an official holiday in 1870 as part of a bill to officially recognize other holidays, including Christmas.
- At 27, Thomas Lynch, Jr., was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence; Ben Franklin, age 70, was the oldest signer.
- The oldest, continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island which began in 1785.
- The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence.
- Americans began observing the Fourth of July as early as 1777 with a celebration in Philadelphia that included a parade, a thirteen-shot cannon salute, and fireworks.
- Eight of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were born in Britain.
