The Fourth of July is one of my favorite days of the year. The kids are home for the summer, we get to barbecue, and we always look forward to a night full of fireworks and fun. But the Fourth of July also reminds me how grateful I am to live in the U.S.A. This holiday has 245 years of history behind it, and I’m surprised every year by just how much more there is to learn.
What Really Happened on July 4, 1776?
Contrary to popular belief, the Declaration of Independence wasn’t actually signed on July 4th. In fact, it wasn’t even signed by the Founding Fathers or Members of Congress in the same place at the same time, but was instead signed between the months of August and November later that year.
It all began in June of 1776 when a five-member drafting committee was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence after Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented the following resolution to the Second Continental Congress:
“Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown…”
Even today, writing that short statement by Lee gives me chills. To think that a room full of early Americans from 13 different colonies could band together with the same dream of independence from England truly was a remarkable feat.
Anyhow, the five-member drafting committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert R. Livingston of New York. Thomas Jefferson was chosen as the primary writer for the Declaration of Independence.
The first draft was submitted to Congress on July 2nd and, after undergoing a few edits, was approved by Congress on July 4th.
Thus, July 4, 1776, became known as Independence Day.
(True, John Adams believed that July 2nd should have been celebrated as Independence Day, and he dutifully protested July 4th celebrations until the end of his life, but that’s neither here nor there.)
Early Fourth of July Celebrations
The Declaration of Independence was quickly made known to the public. Two days after the Declaration was approved by Congress, it was published in full by a Pennsylvania newspaper. Then on July 8th, a public reading took place in Philadelphia. Apparently, a full-blown celebration broke out during the reading.
George Washington wasn’t actually present at the approval or the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He was busy defending New York City as Commander of the Continental Army in July of 1776 and read his own copy aloud to the entire army on July 9th. (Can you imagine the celebrations then?)
Although the Library of Congress maintains that Fourth of July celebrations didn’t become mainstream in the U.S. until after the war of 1812 (it wasn’t even declared a federal holiday until 1870), there are still accounts that reveal some fun was taking place.
Before Independence Day and before the idea of independence began taking hold, colonists celebrated the king’s birthday in much the same style as we celebrate the Fourth of July today – with bells, bonfires, parades, and speeches.
But during the summer of 1776, colonists began tearing down statues of King George III and holding mock funerals for him in celebration of America’s liberty. These funerals were even more grandiose than the birthday celebrations, including concerts, musket fire, and cannonball fire in addition to the bonfires and parades.
(All I can say is, those early Americans sure did know how to get rowdy!)
Why the Fourth of July Is Still Important Today
The Fourth of July started out as a celebration of political independence and even as a display of political sentiment. Today, it’s more about having fun in the sun and taking a day off from work than it is about sticking it to England. But I still think the Fourth of July holds more meaning than all-you-can-eat hot dog contests and flashy fireworks shows (although those are great, too).
To me, the Fourth of July is an opportunity to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. It’s a time to be thankful for the nation we live in and for the men and women who serve our country. And it’s a time to think about what we can be doing, individually and collectively, to continue marching toward the American ideals of liberty, equality, and justice for all.
When the Holiday Weekend Ends, Give Us a Call!
Thanks for taking this little journey through American history with us. We wish you a fun, celebratory, and safe Fourth of July weekend and hope that you findd some time to relax and reflect on what the Fourth of July means to you and your family.
Once the weekend is over and it’s back to real life, we invite you to give us a call to discuss your wealth management needs. At Caviness Wealth, we work with clients before and during retirement to help them pursue a secure and enjoyable future. To see how we can help you, contact us to schedule an appointment.
