With Independence Day just around the corner on Sunday, we wanted to look at some fun and interesting facts about our Independence Day.
We all love parades and July 4th celebrations and for many Americans this holiday is all about cookouts, fireworks, and spending time with friends and family but what are some lesser-known facts, celebrations, and ways that you can honor our countries’ soldiers and Veterans?
1. The signing of the Declaration of Independence did not happen in one day
Although we celebrate the adoption and signing of the Declaration of Independence as a country on July 4th, the actual document took much longer to sign. In fact, we celebrate July 4th because that is the day that the final wording was agreed upon.
The Second Continental Congress first started discussing the ideas behind the Declaration of Independence several years before the document was created. However, the actual document was first proposed by a representative from Virginia on June 7th, 1776.
It took many weeks to come up with the first draft of the document. On July 4th, Congress finally approved the draft and officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. It still took a month for many members of the Second Continental Congress to sign!
While today many Americans travel across the continent in a single day, travel in 1776 took weeks or even months. At first, only two representatives signed the Declaration of Independence: Charles Thompson and John Hancock. Congress’ 56 members who signed the Declaration of Independence did so throughout July and into August.
Besides the time it took for travel back in 1776, the document itself took a very long time to be hand-written -- about two weeks!
To get an actual glimpse of our nation’s history you and your family can take a trip and view the signed Declaration of Independence at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
2. You can volunteer to help a veteran or service member this Independence Day
165,000 active-duty personnel are stationed outside the U.S. and its territories. A large number of these soldiers, airmen, and sailors are deployed and away from their families. This Independence Day is a great opportunity to support our troops stationed overseas on deployment as well as our veterans!
Many Americans donate time and resources to veterans and service members on traditional holidays including Christmas and Veterans’ Day, but July 4th is an opportunity that often goes unnoticed!
Soldiers’ Angels
A variety of programs exist to support deployed service members. Soldiers’ Angels is just one of many organizations dedicated to ensuring no soldier goes unloved.
The organization gives volunteers opportunities both virtual and in-person. There are many options to choose from for both deployed members and their families including baking treats, adopting a Service Member, writing letters, virtual baby showers, writing cards, sending care packages. In-person opportunities include volunteering at VA hospitals and assisting homeless and low-income veterans.
Learn how to volunteer with Soldiers’ Angels here.
Volunteer with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
You can also go straight to the VA and find a medical center near you that needs your help through volunteering and other types of donations. You can find a complete list of medical centers near you and sign up to volunteer on the VA website.
With a wide range of volunteer opportunities, there is something for everyone this Independence Day!
3. Many posts with IHG® Army Hotels have July 4th parades and celebrations!
If you are planning a getaway this weekend don’t forget to check to see if the post has a July 4th celebration. You may have great access to a parade or fireworks and not even know it!
This year many parades and fireworks shows happening on post are not open to the general public, potentially giving you and your family an easy and crowd-free way to celebrate the holiday.
Aside from July 4th celebrations, there are a lot of summer activities happening across the country on post. The Army’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation departments offer a variety of discounted programs designed for the entire family. Activities include recreation, sports, entertainment, travel, and leisure activities for everyone.
You can see and plan for all the fun activities happening at a post near you by visiting the Army MWR website.
4. News of the signing of the Declaration of Independence started a riot in New York
Since the New York City harbor was full of British war ships at the time of the creation of the Declaration of Independence, many New York City residents were incredibly angry! The city was besieged and on the brink of British occupation. The first battle on the outskirts of New York City between British troops and colonists took place just over one month after July 4th, 1776.
New York City residents first found out about the Declaration of Independence just five days after Congress voted to adopt the document on July 9th, 1776.
When the Declaration of Independence was adopted, many of the city’s residents did not support the British and had not yet fled the city. In fact, George Washington read the Declaration of Independence to residents aloud in front of City Hall.
Located at the center of City Hall Park in the Civic Center area of Lower Manhattan, Washington inspired New Yorkers and continental soldiers to riot that day and later tear down a statue of King George III.
5. You can hear the sounds of Independence Day in Philadelphia at Independence Hall
If you are looking for the sounds of July 4th other than fireworks, the Liberty Bell is another option for you and your family! The bell, first called the “State House bell” was renamed to “Liberty” in 1837 as part of the abolitionist movement.
The bell is made out of copper and tin and weighs an impressive 2,000 pounds!
Although the bell was likely not used in 1776 since the steeple was in bad condition back then, stories of the bellman’s grandson yelling “Ring, Grandfather! Ring!” spread throughout the 13 colonies and the bell became associated with the Declaration of Independence.
The Liberty Bell is tapped 13 times to honor the 13 original American colonies every July 4th at 2pm Eastern time. A trip to Philadelphia this July 4th is a great opportunity to celebrate our nation’s independence with history and tradition. Bells across the nation also ring at the same time to honor patriots from the original 13 colonies as part of the “Bells Across America” program.
Independence Day is not just about fireworks. The day is meant to remember our national roots and how we became this great nation! Independence Day is a chance to learn more about the history behind our independence from Great Britain, plan fun-filled activities for the whole family, and also an opportunity to give back to the veteran community. IHG® Army Hotels thanks those who have served our country and their families.
We hope you and your family celebrate our nation’s Independence Day with a little more insight into how our country came to be!