In honor of Independence Day, lets take a look at facts about the United States that you probably didn't know about. According to the Smithsonian, only 18% of 8th graders could answer questions about the United States history. If you don't know your history, you are doomed to repeat it. The 4th of July isn't about the hot dogs and the amount of the American Flag you can put on your body. It's about celebrating the freedom from oppression that our ancestors were able to free us from. Let freedom ride.
1. The Declaration of Independence wasn't signed on the 4th of July.
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was technically signed on August 2nd, 1776. We celebrate Independence Day because it was the day in 1776 that congress adopted the piece of paper. On July 1st, congress met to discuss the notion of independence. The vote was 12/13 and that set into motion the Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson. It's funny how we are taught that everything including the signatures was taught to us to have happened on the 4th of July 1776.
2. George Washington had no political party affiliation.
George Washington
George Washington, our first president, didn't have a political party affiliation and was proud of that. In his farewell speech, he warned others of associating with political parties because he believed in balance. Moderation is a source of strength. According to Politico and his vice president, Washington got differing opinions from different sides before he made a decision. With the way it's going now, wouldn't our world be a better place if we listened to both sides?
3. A reading of the Declaration of Independence caused a riot in New York.
Old building in New York
Before George Washington became the first president of the United States, he was the commander of the continental forces in New York. He read the contents of The Declaration of Independence in front of City Hall to a group of people that later rioted causing a statue of King George III to be melted down to be made into cannon balls for the rebels. This is why the "people shouldn't be afraid of their governments, the governments should be afraid of their people" (V for Vendetta 2005).
4. The political parties animal symbols were a result of the 1828 Presidential Election.
Republican and Democrat symbols
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These symbols weren't a result of a collective vote in each political parties. They were a result of newspapers during that time period. This is the election that got Andrew Jackson his place as President. According to The History Channel, the symbol of the Donkey for the Democratic party was a result of Andrew Jackson being called a "jack-ass" by the opposing party. This election also had the country's first democratic president because past presidents were of the Federalist party minus George Washington ( no party affiliation). The Elephant was a result of the election of Abraham Lincoln because people saw the elephant due to his progressive ideas.
5. George Washington was almost called " His Highness" instead of "Mr. President".
George Washington
During the transition into George Washington's presidency, there was a matter of what the people should call their president. Congress wanted something that the people could call him without using his name. There was an argument over the people using " His Highness", "His Excellency", " His Majesty the President" , etc. According to the Huffington Post, One senator wanted him to be called "George IV" to be sassy. It came down to him being called "Mr. President", so they wouldn't be associated with England as a newly formed country or for United States to come across as snooty or pompous.
If you think about it, these are known facts but they aren't common facts that you hear everyday. We need to value our education more as a country and as people. History is such a great start to building your knowledge because it's a way for us to build on what we know so that we can change it or make improvements. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana).
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