Happy Independence Day! Chances are you have been celebrating this holiday for your whole life. Do you know how it began? You may think so, but you could be wrong. Did you know that the Continental Congress actually voted in favor of independence on July 2nd? Let’s dive into the origins of Independence Day!
After a year of fighting the Revolutionary War, a tired and weary people were in need of freedom. That independence came on July 4th 1776, or so we have been taught. In a way, true independence came in 1783 when the war ended. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th. If the Congress voted for independence on the 2nd, why do we celebrate on the 4th?
The reason we celebrate on the 4th is… a mystery. I understand that the Declaration of Independence was adopted on the 4th, but due to the fact that the vote for independence was on the 2nd I disagree with it being celebrated on the 4th. Do you know who else agreed with me? John Adams, the 2nd President abhorred the fact that we celebrate on the 4th . He even refused to go to events celebrating the 4th of July. Whether you agree with John Adams or not, we must acknowledge America is a great country.
After all, that is the reason we have celebrated every day since 1776. Think about how much our country has gone through. From the Revolutionary war to the technologically advanced society we live in today. We have had good and bad times, but we are still standing here to this day.