July 2, 2015
By: Chelsea Haley, DKI Ventures, LLC
Amidst all the grilling, swimming, sun-bathing, and fireworks shows – what really is the Fourth of July all about?
The Day
We know it as Independence Day, the day our nation declared its independence from Great Britain – America’s birthday. Simple, right? Well, did you know – John Adams penned, “The Second Day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.” The actual date Congress ruled in favor of independence was July 2, yet Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed until July 4th.
The Customs
Fireworks are standard on the Fourth of July. But, did you know – They used to fire cannons, used in battle, instead? There are some areas questionable to shoot off fireworks…Imagine firing artillery there!
The Symbol
Our Old Glory has been altered 26 times since 1777, when the original American Flag was designed and sewn. Since then, America has acquired and formed new states, and in 1959 when Hawaii and Alaska were admitted to the Union, the flag once again needed modification to display all 50 states. Did you know – When Robert G. Heft, a 17-year-old student in Lancaster, Ohio was presented a class assignment to create a new “national banner, “ he simply added two extra stars to the flag to recognize all 50 states – That project only received a B- grade, but was personally accepted by President Eisenhower. Heft’s design and the new 50-star flag was officially adopted in 1960.