• The Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4, 1776, but was not signed by all of the Continental Congress delegates until August 2, 1776.
• John Adams didn't want to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th because he believed the colonies truly became free on July 2nd, which is when members of the Continental Congress first voted for independence from Britain.
• Despite being voted down, John Adams recommended that future celebrations "ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
• In 1779, July 4th took place on a Sunday, and America celebrated the holiday on Monday, July 5th.
• The name “Independence Day” was first used and recorded in 1791.
• Three of the first five presidents died on July 4th: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe.
• Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president, was born on July 4th, 1872.
• In 1959, Congress passed a federal law stating that if the Fourth of July took place on a Saturday, the holiday would be celebrated during the prior day and federal employees and the District of Columbia would get the day off with pay.
• Congress has passed legislation designating patriotic themes for Fourth of July celebrations, which include on entitled “July 4th Family Celebration Day.”
• The Fourth of July is also celebrated in Denmark, Norway, Portugal, England, and Sweden. Denmark and Norway celebrate it in honor of thousands of Denmark Danes and Norwegians that emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s. Independence Day is celebrated in England, Portugal, and Sweden, where celebrations are held near American military bases and popular American tourist spots to boost business in early July.
