The Fourth of July celebrates the Declaration of Independence that was adopted on July 4, 1776. This is why the fourth of July is also known as Independence Day. Philadelphia held the first annual celebration of independence on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still involved with an ongoing war. July 4^th has only been a federal holiday since 1941. With that being said, the celebration of Independence Day has been a tradition since the 18^th century in the United States.

Fun Facts:

• John Adams believed that July 2^nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of America independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4^th events in protest.
• John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died July 4, 1826- the 50^th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
• America’s 30^th president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, 1872.
• The “Star Spangled Banner” was written by Francis Scott Key and was originally a poem stemming from his observations in 1814 concerning the British attack on Baltimore’s Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It was later put to music, though not decreed the official national anthem until 1931.
• 5% ($2.8 million) of imported U.S. flags are from China.
• An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on July 4^th.
• The oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4^th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island; it began 1785

This year for the Fourth of July, my oldest son, Carson, is going to Lake Havasu with some of his buddies. Since he will not be joining the family this year for our annual Fourth of July block party, I am excited to share our experience with him through the Penless American flag stickers! My wife and I love how Penless incorporates stickers with the holidays! My wife and I also gave out the Penless Easter egg stickers this past Easter! Since my wife is very creative she loves to put videos together then upload them to the stickers and attach them to gifts we give out.

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.~Author unknown