Happy July 4th !

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom. The Committee of Five Founding Fathers - Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston – drafted the document with Jefferson writing most of its content.
                                              

John Hancock, president of the Second Continental Congress, was the first signer of the document. Franklin, who represented Pennsylvania, was the oldest signer at age 70. Edward Rutledge, of South Carolina, was the youngest at age 26. Two future presidents, John Adams (second president) and Thomas Jefferson (third president), signed the document. Both died on the 50^th anniversary of signing the Declaration (July 4, 1826.)

On July 4, 1776, there were 2.5 million people living in the newly independent nation; today, America’s population is more than 323 million. Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1870.

Let's celebrate our country's birthday with a salute to the flag, a thank you for our nation's blessings and a prayer that we remain free and independent. Have a wonderful 4th everyone!