Happy 4th of July from Richter Publishing! This week while you’re celebrating America’s independence with fireworks and hot dogs, here are some interesting facts about our country’s history that you can share with your friends and family.
1. Starting off on the wrong foot… with the wrong day.
The Second Continental Congress actually met on July 2nd to formally approve the new nation’s independence from Great Britain. Then the news was published in newspapers two days later on July 4th. So, technically, we celebrate Independence Day two days late. John Adams thought July 2nd would become a memorable holiday, writing to his wife, “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epoch, in the History of America.”
2. Red, White, and Green.
Since bright colors were hard to come by even for the rich, most people in those days celebrated Independence Day with lush greenery. General George Washington used to direct his army to put green boughs in their hats on the 4th of July.
3. Courageous Turkeys
Thanks to John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, we have the bald eagle as our national bird. If the decision had been solely Benjamin Franklin’s, it would’ve been a turkey. Franklin thought the turkey was a very courageous bird, whereas he believed the bald eagle was a bird of “bad moral character.”
Have fun and stay safe this 4th of July!
Richter Publishing 