10 American Facts You Can Use To Ruin Any July 4 Party

The above quote is from John Adams, who would become the second president of the United States. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia voted to approve independence; later that day, the Pennsylvania Evening Post published, “This day the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies Free and Independent States.” So what is the Fourth of July, then? It’s the date the Continental Congress actually adopted the Declaration of Independence. That said, it’s believed that most members didn’t sign it until August, and England had no idea about the Declaration until August 30. For what it’s worth, this was the second half of Adams’ quote: “I am apt to believe [July 2] will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.”

Get the other 9 here: 10 American Facts You Can Use To Ruin Any July 4 Party | HuffPost