Community Corner
What is Independence Day?
The Declaration of Independence was written in secret, and Independence Day wasn't widely celebrated until after 1812. Iowa and North Dakota weren't among the first 13 states, but read on to find out why they're particularly relevant to your celebration t
It wasn't the end of an epic war or the surrender of an opponent.
The Fourth of July is simply the anniversary of when a governing body approved a document.
It was on July 4th, 1776 when the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence.
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The relatively short proclamation announced to Great Britain the American colonies wanted to break away and govern themselves.
The Declaration of Independence was written in secret by future president Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28 of that year.
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It was read and revised by members of the Continental Congress between June 28 and July 2.
The formal vote took place on July 4. The congressional members signed the document on Aug. 2. Copies of it were sent to the 13 individual states in January.
Of course, England didn't accept the declaration. The Revolutionary War raged on for seven years until British officials finally accepted the colonists' demands in 1783 when a treaty of peace was signed in Paris. Technically, that treaty only lasted five years.
Philadelphia was the only major city that celebrated Independance Day in 1777. The holiday wasn't widely recognized until after the War of 1812 with Britain.
After that, towns began organizing celebrations. The ground-breaking ceremonies for the Erie Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were held on Independence Day.
Congress passed a law in 1870, officially declaring July 4th a federal holiday.
Some interesting facts:
There were 2.5 million people living in the American colonies in 1776. There are now 312 million people residing in the United States.
Independence Day is the largest secular holiday in the U.S., with parades, picnics, fireworks, concerts, barbeques and other activities honoring it.
At your picnic, there is a one in four chance the hot dog or pork sausage you eat will come from Iowa. That state has 19 million hogs and pigs.
There's a one in three chance, the baked beans will come from North Dakota. That state produces 36 percent of the dry, edible beans in the U.S.
There's a good chance the lettuce in your salad is from California. This state produces 75 percent of the lettuce harvested in the U.S.
The watermelon you munch on? Most likely, it came from Florida.
For more information on Independence Day, check out these websites:
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