Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 1: July 2

From the July 4, 2018 USA Today "9 things you didn't know about the Fourth of July" Caroline Simon.

1.  Congress did not actually vote for independence on July 4.  Twelve of the 13 states/colonies approved an independence resolution on July 2.  New York did not do so until July 9.

Many of the delegates did not sign it until as late as August 2.  John Adams insisted the annual celebration should be July 2 and refused to attend anything on July 4.

2.  July 4th was not an official holiday until almost a century later.  It was not so designated until 1870 and it wasn't until 1941 that it became a paid holiday for federal employees.

Stuff You Didn't Know.  --Coot4