From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The History of Independence Day

By Lauren Heist
Sun-Sentinel.com

The 4th of July is always a time of fireworks, barbecues and a lot of red, white and blue. But throughout the festivities, it's important to remember what we are celebrating.

It was in 1776 that Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence, a document designed not only to let King George know that the Americans meant business, but also to rally support of the colonists, many of whom were wary of going up against the British Empire.

You may be surprised to discover that the Declaration of Independence was not approved and signed on July 4, 1776.

In June 1776, the Continental Congress put a group of five representatives in charge of devising a declaration, but Jefferson was the one who composed it because he was considered the most eloquent writer.

When the Congress reconvened at the Pennsylvania State House (today called Independence Hall) on July 1, Jefferson presented his draft, which underwent revisions on July 3rd and 4th. All of the delegations, except New York, approved the document on the afternoon of July 4th.

On July 5th, the rough draft was taken to the printers and leaflets were produced, and on July 8th, John Nixon read the proclamation in the State House yard. It wasn't until July 9th that New York officially approved the document and it wasn't until Aug. 2 that the delegation members signed the actual piece of paper.

What was written on those pieces of parchment has become an undying symbol of freedom and hope for the rest of the world.