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The US and the Fourth of July

In the US, the Fourth of July is one of the biggest holidays. It is known as Independence Day, the day America declared independence from England and specifically from the rule of George III.

The day is often marked with outdoor barbecues, flag waving, and fireworks. It is a US Federal Holiday and the biggest of the summer.

However, it is also filled with myth. That is, a great deal that Americans believe about Independence Day are just not true, though they are often stated as facts.

Which of the following truths did you honestly know?

  • Question of

    The Fourth of July, 1776, wasn’t when the Declaration of Independence was signed and the date observed is incorrect, too. The Continental Congress made the initial resolution to declare independence on the second of July. This is what we Americans celebrate on July 4, two days later than the event. In fact, most of the colonists didn’t even know about the resolution to declare independence even on July 4. The official announcement regarding the declaration was released on July 8. Did you know this?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Of the 56 people who signed the Declaration of Independence, 49 of them signed the document on August 2, 1776. Only two men, July 4 was the agreed upon date that copies of the Declaration of Independence would be passed out, all bearing the date of July 4, 1776. Because of this, we celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July. Did you know this?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    The colonies didn’t arbitrarily decide to declare independence from England and it was actually a result of the struggle for power between France and England. England won that war, but in so doing, King George ran low on funds. Because of this, he greatly increased the taxes on the colonies, though the taxes were already high. The revolution occurred in large part because of the increase in taxes, a case of a tax increase starting a war, but it may not have happened had France and England not warred with each other. This is also why the colonies received support from France, through Canada, during the revolution. It was a way for the French to strike back at England, whom they’d lost to. Did you know this?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, signers of the Declaration of Independence, died on July 4, 1826, just hours apart. If you look at that date, it happens to be exactly 50 years after July 4, 1776, the day we celebrate. Five years later, in 1831, James Monroe also died on July 4. Did you know this?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    July 4 became an official holiday in 1870, with a bill of Congress. The bill actually wasn’t aimed at recogizing Independence day, but rather to recognize other holidays, such as Christmas. Did you know this?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    The US Independence Day is important to China, too. Nearly 90% of US flags and about 97% of fireworks that are used in Fourth of July celebrations are made in China. Did you know this?

    • Yes
    • No

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Written by Rex Trulove

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