We all know that Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th. But one of the signers, John Adams, didn’t consider it to be accurate. Here is why.
On July 1, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, and on the following day 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee’s motion for independence. The delegates then spent the next two days revising the language of a statement drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Finally, on July 4, Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence.
However John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events. Ironically, Adams died on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Are you interested in learning more? Check our collection of books and movies about the Revolutionary wars and the Founding Fathers of the United States.
