Happy Independence Day!

Today we celebrate our Country’s 236th Birthday!

We have gone from being a simple colony to the greatest country on earth. During that time we have endured spectacular triumphs and weathered difficult storms. We have developed a strong global perspective because of our willingness to try to help the cause of liberty and democracy expand.

In a time when our society seems more fractured and divisive than ever, let’s all remember that the cornerstone of this nation is based on reasoned, intellectual debate that leads to continuing to make this Nation great. Most importantly, we are a nation that understands that united we stand and divided we fall. The “American Spirit” is truly unique. These words from the Declaration of Independence guide us every day:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Here’s some interesting facts about today that most people don’t know:

The actual legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence. The Declaration of Independence, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, was approved two days later on July 4th.

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.

President, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831 becoming the third president in a row who died on this memorable day.

Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and to date is the only President to have been born on Independence Day.

Betsy Ross, according to legend, sewed the first American flag in May or June 1776, as commissioned by the Congressional Committee.

Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence did not sign at the same time, nor did they sign on July 4, 1776. The official event occurred on August 2, 1776, when 50 men signed it.

There is a 4th of July in England but they don’t celebrate it the same way.

Have a safe and happy July 4th Holiday!

Mike Berlon
Chairman
Democratic Party of Georgia