Find solution
Why independence is celebrated on the 4th july?

Does America celebrate its independence on the wrong day?

  • John Adams declared that the second day of July would be remembered as the “most memorable epoch in the history of America,” and would be celebrated with fireworks and festivities by succeeding generations as the great anniversary of the birth of independence. It was on July 2, 1776 that Congress approved the resolution of independence that legally separated the American colonies from Great Britain, thus officially proclaiming a new nation. The primary reason the Declaration of Independence was not approved on that day was simply because the wording of the document needed to be revised. It was on July 4, 1776 that Congress approved the final draft, but it was not even signed on that date. The ceremony were John Hancock signed the revered document took place on August 2 of that year, and it wasn’t until months later that the signatures from all fifty-six delegates had been obtained. One of my elementary school history teachers told me that we celebrate on the 4th of July rather than on the second simply because in 1777 Congress didn’t remember the anniversary in time. She said they'd forgotten about it on the 2nd, discussed it on the 3rd, and held formal observations on July 4, thus establishing a routine that has been followed ever since. History buffs, do you know if she is correct? Regardless to whether we are celebrating on the true anniversary of America’s independence, I hope you all had a happy 4th of July!

  • Answer:

    Wow, smart lady you are! I have never heard any debate on that question. As a new country that didn't know if the next day would be it's last. Our forefathers most likely were not too concerned with dates. Other than when the king received his copy of the declaration. That would officially kick the great experiment off. And of course, unleash his wrath. Remember at that time, the signers were considered to be riffraff, rebels, misguided colonials, etc. OH, and tax dodgers! Anyway July 4th is as good a day as any. Long as the year was right. Wouldn't you agree? Again, HAPPY BDAY U.S.A.!!!!!!!

Skylark ♥ at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Well you have some very interesting facts there. It doesn't matter anymore really. Just as long as we have a day to celebrate USA birthday it doesn't much matter which day. As long as it has some relevance which the 4th of July was very relevant (final draft of decleration). We celebrate the birth of Jesus on Dec. 25th but we actually don't know which day he was born!

guy

I didnt even know all that b4 I read this question so I cant really give u an answer but holy crap, girl you are a genius. No wonder u graduated as the valvictorian of your school! Your gonna be president or something one day. And I'll be like "that's the girl I used to IM with," lol. : ) peace!

January

Yes i do believe we celebrate the fourth of July the wrong way. This was the independents for the Europeans. But the African and the native Americans were not feed at all. We later receive ours. but you have a strong point.

RIA

Thank you Skylark for all this information. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. I don't think many people care whether it is the right day or not. The history is always interesting.

Kate Alex Bahleef

I never knew that! Quite interesting, I like that its the 4th then, and now it means even more to me!! Thanks for sharing that!

loves christmas lights

Actually, a much later date would be more accurate. We celebrate the date we declared independence, not the date the Declaration was actually ratified nor the date we actually gained independence. We're taught to ignore the fact that we could have still lost the war and then declaring our independence in the Revolution would have been useless as we would have remained colonies of Britian. We're also incorrectly taught that the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration on July 4, 1776, thus ratifing it on that date. Try August 2, 1776, that's the actual date of ratification. In order for a document to actually be ratified those ratifying it must sign their names to it to make the ratification official, most of the delegates did not sign until August 2nd with only Hancock signing July 4th. But we had to win the war in order to truely gain our independence. That means a date of October 19, 1781 when Cronwallis surrendered to Washington, bringing the war to an end. Then you look to September 3, 1783 when the Treaty of Paris was ratified, officially ending the war and declaring the colonies a new, independent nation.

knight1192a

it's about time it was handed back over to the uk ---------- tax dodgers

speaker of truth

I can't imagine your teachers story being true, who would forget the day a new nation was born? lol.

DJ Nascar Smirnoff A.K.A Emily

It's because it's when they signed the Declaration of Independence. =]

Jamie.

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.