Happy July 4th
At this time of the year, Americans celebrate the 4th of July with parades, picnics, fireworks, and casual summer outings. This year we like to encourage you to take a few minutes to think about the origins of Independence Day and the history of the American Revolutionary period.
The delegates to the Second Continental Congress chose a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. The founding fathers that participated in its writing included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 by the 56 members of the Second Continental Congress and first publicly read on July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia’s Independence Square.
Independence Day was celebrated again on July 4th, 1777 with fireworks and the adjournment of the Continental Congress. Massachusetts was the first state to make July 4th a state holiday in 1781 while its militia was still fighting in the American Revolution.
Throughout the nineteenth century, Americans celebrated Independence Day with parades and concerts.
Independence Day, which is more commonly known as the 4th of July, became a federal holiday in 1870. In 1941, that legislation was expanded to give federal employees paid time off from work.
In 2021, July 4th falls on a Sunday and federal and state offices will observe the holiday on Monday, July 5th.
Below are some books on the topic from our collection:
American scripture: making the Declaration of Independence
https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/36446763
The Declaration of Independence: a global history
https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/648674203
Founding fighters: the battlefield leaders who made American independence
https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/70267088
Revolutionary characters: what made the founders different
https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/62290624
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