Independence Day

 Journalist Rocky the Squirrel – Keeping my paws on the nuts of the world!

Today is July 4th – the birthday of our nation. On this day, we celebrate and enjoy the freedom that comes with the event that made this day so special.  Do you know how this date originated?  Here’s a little background information for you:

 Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence and led a committee that crafted the declaration between June 11-28, 1776. Jefferson and other representatives from the thirteen colonies voted and approved it on July 4, 1776. The document declared freedom for the 13 colonies from British rule. Thus, July 4th is known as Independence Day in the United States. The actual Declaration of Independence is in the Exhibition Hall of the National Archive in Washington, D.C.

And here’s a little bit of trivia knowledge to WOW some of your friends.  The Declaration of Independence didn’t actually get all of the signatures by the representatives until August 1776.  The President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, had to sign it to make it official.  Have you ever heard of the saying, “Put your John Hancock on it?”  Now, you know where the saying originated from.

Today we enjoy this day by celebrating our freedom.  It’s a time for some good old fashioned baseball, hot dogs and family picnics.  Throw in some parades and fireworks and it becomes a holiday with a bang!

Happy Birthday, America!