Let freedom ring Published June 23, 2008 GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., -- As you celebrate the July 4th weekend, take a moment to pause and reflect on the freedom and liberties we enjoy as a nation. Regarding the 4th of July and the Declaration of Independence, did you know: 1776- The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4th. --Not a single signature was added to the Declaration on July 4th. The task of getting the document signed began on August 2, 1776. --While most of the fifty-six names were in place by early August, one signer, Thomas McKean, did not actually sign the Declaration until 1781. Nevertheless, July 4th was the day singled out to mark the event of the United States establishing itself as a nation. --The Pennsylvania Evening Post is the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence, on 6 July 1776. --The first two public readings of this historic document include one given by John Nixon on 8 July at Independence Square, Philadelphia, and another on the same day in Trenton, N.J. 1778- From his headquarters in Brunswick, N.J., General George Washington directs his army to put "green boughs" in their hats, issues them a double allowance of rum, and orders a Fourth of July artillery salute. 1781- The first official state celebration of the Fourth of July takes place in Massachusetts. Boston was the first municipality to officially designate July Fourth as a holiday. 1791- George Washington delivers his only Fourth of July address, in Lancaster, Pa. 1804- Meriwether Lewis and William Clark hold the first Fourth of July celebration west of the Mississippi at Independence Creek. 1826- The 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is celebrated during the "Jubilee of Freedom." Thomas Jefferson, the author of the declaration, and one of its signers, John Adams, die within hours of each other. 1925- As part of national Defense Day exercises, 50 U.S. military planes fly over New York City as the Declaration of Independence is read from one of the planes, transmitted by radio and broadcasted over radio station WOR. 1926- The 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is celebrated throughout the nation. 1930- Gutzon Borglum unveils the 60-foot face of George Washington carved on Mount Rushmore's granite cliff in South Dakota. 1934- At Arlington Cemetery, a plaque in memory of the Unknown Soldier is added to the cemetery's permanent collection of memorial trophies. 1947- In Washington, D.C., the Fourth of July ceremony at the monument grounds is televised for the first time. 1960- Hawaii is given statehood, and the 50th-star American flag waves for the first time. 1963- The annual "Let Freedom Ring" tradition begins as houses of worship across the country simultaneously ring their bells 13 times. 1976- The nation celebrates its Bicentennial. At 2 p.m., the time the Declaration of Independence was originally approved, churches and people throughout the nation ring bells to mark the occasion. 1997- The Boston Pops Orchestra celebrates the centennial of "The Stars and Stripes Forever March" by John Philip Sousa. (Historical events compiled by James Heintze. Material in this document originally developed by Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs)
