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Getting To Know The Declaration Of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American history. On July 1, 1776, delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to vote on independence from Britain. After debate, 12 of the 13 colonies approved the measure. In honor of those delegates, here are 12 facts about the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, though most delegates signed it on August 2. John Dickinson and Robert R. Livingston never signed the document.

John Dunlap was the official printer of Congress at the time. He worked all night and into the morning of July 5 to produce the large, single-sided sheet, known as a broadside. About 200 copies of Dunlap’s broadside were made.

The University of Virginia owns two rare early printings of the Declaration, including one believed to have belonged to George Washington.

Benjamin Franklin, George Read, Roger Sherman, Robert Morris, George Clymer, and James Wilson signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were hidden at Fort Knox during World War II, two weeks after Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Contrary to the movie “National Treasure,” the writing on the back of the Declaration is visible and simply identifies the document.

Signer Richard Stockton later renounced his support for the Revolution after being captured by the British.

In 1989, an original Dunlap Broadside purchased for $4 at a flea market was later sold for $8.1 million. Only 26 original copies are known to exist.

Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4, even though independence was approved on July 2.

The Declaration was not immediately embraced by everyone, and political divisions delayed widespread celebration of its anniversary.

Congress nearly forgot the first anniversary in 1777, organizing a July 4 celebration only at the last minute.

John Trumbull’s famous painting “Declaration of Independence” in the U.S. Capitol depicts the drafting committee presenting the document, not the actual signing.

Prepare Pets For Fourth Of July Festivities

Many people are eager for Independence Day celebrations in early summer. There is much to be excited about, as festivities often begin in the afternoon with barbecues and pool parties, and commence late at night after fireworks shows that light up the night sky. Still, not everyone enjoys the extra noise and busy nature of July 4th parties, particularly furry members of the family. Animal control services often report an increase in lost animals between July 4th and July 6th. That’s because the excitement of the holiday puts pets out of their comfort zones. While pet owners need not cancel their July 4th plans, they should take heed of the many ways to keep their pets safe during the festivities.

Update identification

Be sure prior to any July 4th events that pets are wearing collars with current identification information. If an address or phone number has changed since the last time you updated microchip records, be sure to check the account is current.

Prepare Pets For Fourth Of July

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careful

Party hosts typically serve beer, wine and cocktails. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets, says the ASPCA. Animals can become very intoxicated, severely depressed or go into comas if they drink alcohol. Keep spirited drinks out of reach.

Check with the vet

Many pets are prone to anxiety from loud noises, such as thunderstorms and fireworks, and lots of commotion — something that occurs in spades come July 4th. Some veterinarians recommend a small course of antianxiety medication or a sedative to help pets cope with the stimuli.

Create a quiet space

Allow pets to ride out the day in their comfortable, quiet and cozy retreats. If necessary, create a space in an interior room. Cover the pet crate with a blanket and offer favorite toys or bedding to create a soothing environment.

Place notes on doors and gates

While it’s best to keep pets in a locked room away from the fray, some pets like to socialize with guests and are not bothered by noises. However, alert guests with notes posted on doors and fence gates to check to make sure pets are not trying to escape behind them. All doors should be closed firmly when entering or exiting.

Pick up debris

Firework debris can rain down on properties even if you were not shooting off the fireworks. Curious pets may pick it up or eat it, which runs the risk of an upset stomach or even an intestinal blockage. Check your yard before letting pets out to play.

Keep an eye on the grill

Pets can be opportunists, and those burgers and chicken drumsticks smell delicious to pets. Pets that get too close to the grill can become injured. And if pets eat leftovers, they may end up with digestive distress or even be poisoned by foods that are toxic to cats and dogs.

Why Isn’t July 2 The Day To Celebrate American Independence?

The Declaration of Independence and July Fourth are indelibly linked. But you may need to be an American history buff to know that the link is less direct than it may seem. The Continental Congress declared American independence on July 2, even though the final wording of the Declaration of Independence had yet to be approved. That approval came two days later, which is why American independence is celebrated on July 4. Furthermore, the Declaration of Independence now on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., was not signed on July 4. The signatures on that document, which have been a source of pride for descendants of the signers for centuries, were written on August 2, a full month after the Congress declared its independence from Great Britain. And in a reflection of life in the 18th century, Great Britain did not even receive the declaration until November of 1776.

Did You Know?

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, some may wonder where the name “America” comes from. According to the Library of Congress, it is derived from Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who suggested the lands reached by Christopher Columbus in 1492 were part of a separate continent. In 1507, German mapmaker Martin Waldseemüller honored Vespucci by naming the region “America” on a map—the first to depict it as a separate continent—now held by the Library of Congress and often called “America’s Birth Certificate.”

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Impactful Events In U.S. History

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Americans are reflecting on the people, events, and turning points that helped shape the nation. The following are among the most significant moments in U.S. history:

• The Louisiana Purchase (1803): One of the most important land deals in history, the Louisiana Purchase nearly doubled the size of the United States. President Thomas Jefferson initially sought to purchase New Orleans and West Florida from France, but Napoleon Bonaparte instead offered the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million. The acquisition added more than 530 million acres to the young nation and opened vast areas of North America to exploration and settlement.

• The Monroe Doctrine (1823): During his annual address to Congress, President James Monroe warned European powers against further colonization or interference in the Western Hemisphere. The statement, later known as the Monroe Doctrine, declared that the Americas were no longer open to European expansion while also pledging that the United States would avoid involvement in European affairs. The doctrine became a key principle of American foreign policy for generations.

• The Sinking of the Lusitania (1915): The British passenger liner Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland, killing nearly 1,200 people, including more than 120 Americans. Although the United States remained neutral at the time, the attack increased tensions between the U.S. and Germany and fueled anti-German sentiment. The incident helped shape public opinion in the years leading up to America’s entry into World War I in 1917.

• Wall Street crashes on Black Monday (1929): The stock market crash that began in October 1929 marked an end to the financial boom of the 1920s that the Federal Reserve notes had begun in August 1921 and lasted until September 1929. On what’s become known to historians as Black Monday (October 28, 1929), the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by nearly 13 percent, a fall that preceded an almost 12 percent decline on the following day. By the summer of 1932, th Dow had fallen to its lowest value of the twentieth century and 89 percent below its peak. Black Monday marked the beginning of the Great Depression, and the Federal Reserve notes the Dow did not return to its pre-crash heights until 1954.

Trace Your Own History While Celebrating America’s

Millions of Americans will spend some time in 2026 commemorating 250 years of United States history. The U.S. turns 250 in July 2026, and the summer figures to be an especially celebratory time across the 50 states.

As Americans engage with their nation’s history, they might be compelled to learn more about their personal history as well. Genealogy has become a popular pastime in the twenty-first century, and the National Archives offers these tips to anyone looking to do some digging into their personal history as they celebrate 250 years of the United States.

• Start with yourself. The National Archives recommends starting with the person you know best: yourself. Your own personal details can serve as a starting point as you work toward more unknown facets of your family history. After you note all of your own details, learn and document all you can about your parents and then do the same in relation to your grandparents.

• Emphasize four vital components. The National Archive notes that names, dates, places, and relationships are the tools of the family researcher. That’s because these nuggets of information have long been used to identify people in public records.

• Peruse any existing family archives. Many families have kept their own archives over the years, even if that record-keeping was not widely known within a family. A relative might have kept various types of documents that help to paint a picture of your genealogy. Ask around in the family to see if anyone has kept records, which might include:

- Newspaper clippings

- Birth and death certificates

- Military certificates

- Marriage licenses

- Letters

- Diaries

Spreading A Love Of Reading

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- Photographs/photo books

- Scrapbooks

• Let others know. Inform family members near and far that you’re working on a genealogy project. A relative might have beaten you to it, and that person could have lots of valuable information and documents to share. Others might be able to point you toward a relative who has become the unofficial family historian. In addition, cousins and aunts and uncles might have records from their own immediate families, which can help you as you conduct your own research.

• Access government records. The U.S. federal census dates all the way back to 1790, which makes it a potentially excellent source of information for your project. State and county archives also can be wonderful resources that keep records of births, deaths, marriages, and other notable events that can help people trace their family histories. Even local libraries might have records of your family, especially if your family has been settled in the same area for a significant amount of time.

American history might be the focal point in the United States in 2026. But that renewed emphasis on history also makes 2026 a great time to study your own family’s part in helping the nation make it to its 250th birthday.

Red White & Blue Babylon Elementary School Hosts Special Flag Day, Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration

Babylon Elementary School students and staff marked the start of the summer season with a special Flag Day ceremony, summer reading kick-off, and a salute to the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

The 11th NY Regiment of

The event featured a festive assembly that blended patriotism with a love of literacy. Students enjoyed patriotic singalongs, DJ music, bubbles, and prizes courtesy of the Babylon Public Library.

the U.S. Army Reserves provided flag-folding demonstrations and displayed a World War II jeep, while a special visit from the Suffolk

Libraries Empowering

Discovery Bus helped inspire summer reading excitement.

courtesy of the Babylon Union Free School District

The fun, action-packed celebration was a perfect way to close out the 2025–2026 school year.

Photo

Babylon Elementary School students had a special Flag Day sing along. The students were treated to a flag-folding demonstration.

Notable Events In Colonial America In 1776

The year 1776 was a defining moment in American history. As the Revolutionary War unfolded, a series of events helped shape the future of what would become the United States.

• January 10: Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense in Philadelphia. Initially released anonymously, the 47-page pamphlet argued for independence from Great Britain and inspired many colonists to support the Revolutionary cause. Paine’s clear, accessible writing helped spread revolutionary ideas beyond political leaders to ordinary citizens.

• February 27: The Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge takes place near Wilmington, North Carolina. Loyalist forces stormed across a bridge and attacked men they believed to be rebels, but Patriot forces quickly prevailed. The defeat weakened British efforts to recruit loyalist support in the region.

• May 6–July 5: The Fifth Virginia Convention meets in Williamsburg. The Patriot legislature ultimately declares Virginia an independent state and adopts the Virginia Declaration of Rights, a landmark document that affirmed individual liberties and the people’s authority to reform or replace inadequate government.

• June 28: Thomas Hickey becomes the first person executed by the Continental Army after being convicted of mutiny, sedition, and treachery. A member of General George Washington’s guard, Hickey was implicated in an alleged conspiracy that may have included a plot to assassinate Washington.

• July 14: Increased violence on the Kentucky frontier leads to the capture of Jemima Boone and the Callaway sisters. Days later, Daniel Boone led a successful rescue mission. The dramatic episode later became part of American folklore and inspired scenes in early American literature.

• September 20–21: The Great Fire

of New York destroys as much as one-quarter of the city’s buildings in lower Manhattan. The fire broke out shortly after British forces occupied New York City. Although each side blamed the other for

starting the blaze, historians generally believe it likely began accidentally and spread rapidly due to strong winds and closely packed buildings.

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