What’s happened on the Fourth of July?

1776- The United States Declaration of Independence is signed and the US declares independence from Britain.
1791- The first Independence Day celebration is held.
1802- The US Military academy official opens in West Point, New York.
1803- The Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people.
1826- Both Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United states, and John Adams, the second president of the United States die, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The two were great rivals and both had worried over who would outlive the other.
1827- Slavery is abolished in New York.
1831- James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States died.
1831- My Country, ‘Tis of Thee was written by Samuel Francis Smith for the July 4th celebration in Boston.
1870- Congress made Independence Day an unpaid federal holiday.
1872- Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States is born. He is the only president to be born on the 4th of July.
1884- The Statue of Liberty is completed and offered to the United States by the people of France.
1930- Yankees late owner George Steinbrenner is born
1938- Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.
2013- The Statue of Liberty is reopened to the public!

  fourth of july history, july 4th