What happened on July 4th?

In between your barbecues and the fireworks, I hope you’ll take a second to learn about some of the history that happened today.

The obvious one is that today is America’s birthday. But what exactly does that mean? And what else happened on this day that’s so important to the U S of A. 

Here’s some more about the history of July 4th:

📜1776: Declaration of Independence Approved by Second Continental Congress

Representatives from the thirteen American colonies gathered in Philadelphia to approve the Declaration of Independence. Drafted primarily by a group of five statesmen of the time, including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston, as well as its chief author Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration was the colonies’ formal announcement to the world that they planned to cut ties with the English crown and form their own nation.

The document articulated colonial grievances against King George III, asserting their right to self-governance and marking the official birth of the United States of America.

Interestingly, the initial resolution had been approved two days earlier, on July 2. But some changes were needed, mainly the parts that were critical of English people and also the parts condemning slavery (classic America am I right?). These changes were made and the document was officially approved on July 4.

After the approval of the resolution on July 2, John Adams wrote to his wife:

He was awfully right about how we would celebrate. He just missed the mark on the date.

Of course, this Declaration of Independence was just the beginning. The King, nor any other European power, acknowledged it, and it would take seven years of fighting before the colonies were granted freedom, and then another 10 before the Constitution established a meaningul legal framework. But this event got it all started and is the reason Americans continue to celebrate it today. Read more about this event and more in The American Revolution: The Dates, Causes, and Timeline in the Fight for Independence.

🏫1802: The United States Military Academy Opened in West Point

Located on the west bank of the Hudson River in New York, the academy was created to provide a rigorous education and training program for future Army officers. It played a crucial role in developing military tactics and leadership, shaping the careers of prominent figures such as Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

🌿1845: Henry David Thoreau Moved to His Retreat at Walden Pond

Henry David Thoreau relocated to a small cabin he built near the pond in Concord, Massachusetts. This marked the start of his two-year experiment in simple and self-sufficient living. Thoreau aimed to explore the essentials of life, stripping away the superfluous to gain a deeper understanding of nature and society. His reflections during this period formed the basis of Walden. This work addresses themes of natural beauty, individualism, and the critiques of materialism and societal norms.

⚔️1863: Confederates Surrendered at Vicksburg

Confederate forces at Vicksburg, Mississippi, capitulated after a 47-day siege led by Union General Ulysses S. Grant. This strategic victory gave the Union full control of the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two and severing vital supply lines. The fall of Vicksburg, coupled with the Union victory at Gettysburg a day earlier, marked a significant turning point in the American Civil War. It bolstered Northern morale and weakened the Confederate war effort, paving the way for the Union's eventual triumph.

Perhaps even more importantly, this battle gave President Lincoln the general he so desperately wanted. Grant recognized that while technically countryment, the Confederacy needed to be treated like an enemy, and he pursued tactics aimed at destroyin an army and breaking the people’s will to fight. Lincoln had fired numerous generals throughout the war as they failed to deliver punishing blows. But once Grant and his counterpart William Tecumseh Sherman took control, things changed dramatically and the war was over within 18 months.

Read more in: The American Civil War: Dates, Causes, and People.

📖1855: Walt Whitman First Published Leaves of Grass

Using free verse and exploring individuality, nature, and the body, Whitman broke from traditional European forms with his self-published work. His collection celebrated the human spirit and American democracy, echoing the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence. The collection featured twelve untitled poems, including the influential Song of Myself. Despite initial criticism for explicit content, Leaves of Grass profoundly impacted American literature and reflected the nation's democratic principles established in 1776.

🐇1865: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Was Published

This imaginative novel follows a young girl, Alice, as she navigates a fantastical land filled with peculiar characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts. Carroll's use of playful language, absurd logic, and surreal scenarios captivated readers, making the book an enduring classic of children's literature.

🥊1910: Jack Johnson Defeated James Jackson Jeffries

The bout, dubbed the "Fight of the Century," drew immense attention and was fraught with racial tensions, as Jeffries came out of retirement as the "Great White Hope" to reclaim the title for white America. Johnson's victory was a significant moment in sports history, symbolizing black pride and resilience. Despite the backlash and riots that followed, Johnson's triumph challenged racial barriers and highlighted the deep-seated prejudices of the era.

🎉1946: The Republic of the Philippines Was Proclaimed an Independent Country

This marked the end of nearly 50 years of American colonial rule. The Treaty of Manila formalized this transition, establishing the Republic of the Philippines as a sovereign nation. This historic event came after years of struggle and the devastation of World War II, which saw the Philippines heavily involved in the Pacific theater. 

🎸1976: The Clash Gave Their First Public Performance

This debut at the Black Swan in Sheffield, England set the stage for their rise as pioneers of the punk movement. Known for their raw sound and politically charged lyrics, The Clash quickly became influential voices of political dissent and social commentary. Their music, blending punk with reggae, rockabilly, and dub, resonated with a generation disillusioned by societal issues. 

🌟Born on This Day in History

1804: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Author of The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables, Hawthorne explored themes of sin, guilt, and redemption in his novels, significantly impacting American literature.

1872: Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge became the 30th President of the United States, serving from 1923 to 1929. Known for his quiet and reserved personality, he promoted a laissez-faire approach to the economy and presided over a period of economic prosperity known as the "Roaring Twenties."

💔Died on This Day in History

1627: Thomas Middleton

A prolific playwright whose works, including The Changeling and Women Beware Women, remain significant in English Renaissance drama for their dark humor and social commentary.

1826: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were both Founding Fathers and former Presidents of the United States. Remarkably, their deaths occurred on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a document they both played crucial roles in creating.

1831: James Monroe

The fifth President of the United States, is best known for the Monroe Doctrine, a cornerstone of American foreign policy that opposed European colonialism in the Americas.

1934: Marie Curie

Renowned for her pioneering research on radioactivity, was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains a trailblazer in the fields of physics and chemistry.

Enjoy the fireworks, relish the BBQ, and cherish the company of loved ones.

I’ll be back tomorrow.

Thanks,

Matt