During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the 13 Colonies from Great Britain actually occurred on July 2, 1776 when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the resolution of independence that had been proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. The Fourth of July (Independence Day) commemorates the adoption and signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain drafted by Thomas Jefferson on July 4, 1776. Although celebrated each year from then, it was only in 1941 that the United States declared Independence Day a federal holiday.

Historians have disputed whether the Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. Even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin later wrote that they did, most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4th as is commonly believed. Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.

The Fourth of July is a day that we celebrate with family, friends, fireworks, picnics, games, swimming and much laughter and fun. It is a time when we feel the luxury of living in the United States where we have so much freedom to create the kind of life we want. It is a time where we can reflect and appreciate our blessings, giving gratitude to our forefathers who made it possible. Happy 4th to all!