July 4, 1776 is Independence Day, right?

As an example, it is common knowledge that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. But in fact, the Second Continental Congress voted for a Declaration of Independence on July 2. Photo credit: Getty Images Universal History Archive.

 by Ron Kaiser

Honored patriotic tales at times turn out to be more fiction than fact. As an example, it is common knowledge that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. But in fact, the Second Continental Congress voted for a Declaration of Independence on July 2.

The event prompted John Adams to write his wife, Abigail, “I am to believe that July 2, 1776 will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the Great Anniversary Festival.”

Adams correctly foresaw bells, bonfires, fireworks, gun and cannon fire. But since the written document wasn’t edited and approved until July 4, that was the date printers affixed to the “broadside” announcements they sent across the land. July 2 was soon forgotten.

The Declaration of Independence was not signed in July 1776. John Hancock affixed his large signature and others began signing on August 2. Signings continued until late November.

“Joyful Patriots didn’t ring the Liberty Bell until it cracked on July 4, 1776.”  The fact is, the State House Bell likely didn’t ring at all that day, but probably did ring along with Philadelphia’s other bells, to celebrate the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence on July 8th. As for the crack, the bell had been poorly cast and cracked soon after its arrival in 1752. The bell was recast and re-cracked several times but was intact during the Revolutionary War. The existing crack actually appeared sometime during the 19th Century, with the exact date in dispute. During this era the bell became known as the Liberty Bell, an abolitionist-created name.

The document does not have an invisible message or map on the back as depicted in the film National Treasure. The National Archives state there is something written on the back. It may have been the writing of a label when it was rolled up for travel or storage.

July 4, 1777, Philadelphia held one of the largest celebrations on America’s first anniversary of declaring independence from England. The Continental Congress feasted at an official dinner and gave toasts and arranged a thirteen gun salute. Photo credit: Getty Images Universal History Archive.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on the 4th of July a few hours apart in 1826, the country’s 50th Anniversary. Some writings suggest that Adam’s final words were “Jefferson Survives.”  There is no documented evidence of this, and even if he had, he would have been wrong, as Jefferson died several hours earlier. Just five years later, the fifth President, James Monroe also died on July 4th, in 1831.

July 4, 1777, Philadelphia held one of the largest celebrations on America’s first anniversary of declaring independence from England. The Continental Congress feasted at an official dinner and gave toasts and arranged a thirteen gun salute.

July 4, 1778, George Washington gave his troops a double ration of rum and ordered a cannon salute.

Our young nation commemorated its birthday in several ways from the 1770s to the 1860s. Most towns began the day with an artillery fire at dawn if they had cannons on hand. If the town lacked cannons some men would get up at dawn and fire their muskets into the air. Our own town cannon was fired, up until it was disabled in the 1950s. All this predawn revelry was to announce day-long celebrations. The day would consist of hour long speeches on the courthouse steps or church. Lawyers, preachers or politicians would praise the country and its citizens.

While the women were home making supper the men would go to the nearest bar and spend hours toasting (13 toasts), with the first always going to the United States, and the second to George Washington. The final last toast went to the ladies.