Americans love their holidays, and the 4th of July is one of the granddaddies of them all!
Fun Fact: Many citizens think we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on this day. Actually, we celebrate the adoption of the document - voted on and approved by the Continental Congress on July 4th. John Adams wrote to his dear wife that July 2nd would go down in history as Independence Day- the day the thirteen original colonies separated formally from Great Britain. Still, the body politic didn't approve it until July 4th! So there you are!
Another Fun Fact: Most of the delegate members didn't actually sign the Declaration until August 2nd, 1776.
The best-known version of the Declaration is a signed parchment copy displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Did you know... Two additional copies of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence have been found in the last 25 years. The words "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th of July 1776" are written upside-down across the bottom on the back of the original document.
The nation's population was 2.5 million when the Declaration was signed, as compared to 329 million currently. July 4th didn't become a federal holiday until 1870, and it wasn't until 1941 that it became a paid holiday for all federal workers. It's interesting to know… many countries around the world celebrate the 4th of July along with Americans because they see it as a way to bring in American tourists to vacation during the holiday.
So whether you are celebrating with a backyard BBQ, a day at the lake or beach, or a local parade with fireworks in the evening, may you have a safe and joyful Fourth!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's trivia really got me thinking about how much things have changed since 1776. Let's take a look at this together: when those 2.5 million Americans were celebrating that first Independence Day, they couldn't have imagined that 250 years later, we'd have over 329 million people and a Social Security system, Medicare program, and modern retirement benefits. Speaking of which, a lot of people ask me, "Does the 4th of July affect when my Social Security payment arrives?" Here's the good news: if July 4th falls on your regular payment date, the Social Security Administration typically delivers your benefit the business day before the holiday, so you won't have to wait.
For retirees planning 4th of July travel or festivities, remember that federal holidays can affect banking, so if you're planning to withdraw cash or handle financial business, most banks and credit unions follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule. That's actually easier to plan around than it sounds. Think of it this way: a little preparation today can make your holiday celebration much smoother tomorrow.