4th of July....Top things you may not know about Independence Day.....

The Declaration of Independence is a document basically justifying the revolt against the British.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress on July 2, 1776 but later revised and the final version was adopted 2 days later.

Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration on the his "laptop."

Uncle Sam was a real person known as Samuel Wilson. His company sold beef and pork to the U.S. Government. There is more to this story...feel free to do your research.

Many countries looked to the Declaration of Independence as a beacon to win their own independence including France, Greece, Poland, Russia.

Yankee Doodle, on of many patriotic songs in the United States, was originally sung prior to the Revolution by British military officers who mocked the unorganized and buckskin-wearing "Yankees" with whom they fought during the French and Indian War. (As opposed to bright red and easy to see uniforms. Interesting. )

Three U.S. Presidents, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, died on July 4th; Adams and Jefferson died within hours of each other 1826 while Monroe died in 1831.

Calvin Coolidge was born on the 4th of July 1872.


Adams wrote on July 3rd, 1776: "It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, GUNS, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

(AP photo)

So enjoy yourselves and your family.  We must be thankful that we live here in this country...A country with positives and negatives. Let's teach our children the fascinating facts of the birth of our country. Do not let the founding father's courage be in vain.