Happy July 4th! History nerds must unite on this great holiday and share knowledge — it’s fun — so hopefully these are interesting and maybe even fresh:
•Thomas Jefferson wrote most of the Declaration of Independence, but he got considerable editing and help from Benjamin Franklin. Roger Sherman, John Adams, and Robert Livingston were also on the committee.
•When the Declaration was finished, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife predicting the day would be one of great future celebrations with parades and fireworks.
• A lot of people know that Adams and Jefferson died on the same day — July 4, 1826. Not as many know that James Monroe died on July 4, 1831 or that Calvin Coolidge was the only president born on July 4th (1872).
• The first July 4th fireworks show was held in Philadelphia in 1777. Every year the Liberty Bell rings 13 times — once for each original colony — beginning at 2 p.m.
• In 1778, George Washington helped his troops celebrate the Fourth with a double rum ration.
• July 4th didn’t become a Federal holiday until 1870.
• Americans spend over $1 billion on fireworks every year.