Posted by On vacation for July 4? Doesn’t matter. Chances are you’re not working too hard anyway. There’s no stopping the lazy days of summer from seeping into the workplace. Since you’re already slacking, here’s a quick look at what’s behind America’s favorite summer day off:
1. Fake news? Well, kinda. John Trumbull’s 1818 oil painting is often described as the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The image actually shows the Committee of Five presenting a draft of the Declaration to Congress on June 28, 1776. July 4 marks the day the final draft was approved—and it was published the next day.
2. John Hancock was the only man to sign the Declaration on July 4, 1776. Then he started an insurance company.
3.Three presidents died—and one was born—on July 4. Political rivals Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died hours apart on July 4, 1826. James Monroe died on July 4, 1831, and Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872.
4. Bristol, RI has celebrated Independence Day since 1785—the longest-running celebration in the nation.
5. Congress declared July 4th an official unpaid holiday for federal employees in 1870. In 1938, Congress made it a paid federal holiday. Figures.
6. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer at age 70. The youngest was Thomas Lynch, 27, of South Carolina. Thomas Jefferson, the lead author, was 33.
7. The White House hosted its first Independence Day celebration in 1801. Took ’em long enough.
8. U.S. population in 1776: 2.5 million. It grew.
9. The National Anthem tune was inspired by a British drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven.”
10. Donald Trump inspired the character Biff in the film Back to the Future.
Contributor to this story: Shooter
Hockey fan and avid history buff Shooter (💔 RIP) celebrated his July 4th holidays in San Diego. He lived 14 years.
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