Precious Metals Exchange of the Woodlands

4th Of July Not REALLY America’s Birthday!

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. That’s when America actually declared itself separate and apart from Great Britain.

The day was thought to be very momentous. Thus, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It 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.

Of course, two days later the formal Declaration of Independence was finalized, promulgated and it contained the date, “July 4, 1776” and so that’s the date that came to be celebrated. So technically, July 2nd is America’s birthday but because the date of July 4th was used, we celebrate on the fourth.