4th of July 1776- American Independence Day (Past Moment From History)

Celebrate American history and the birth of a nation with our latest episode of Check This Out! — an engaging, kid-friendly exploration of July 4th, 1776, and the Declaration of Independence. 

Perfect for young learners and their families, this episode delves into the critical moments leading up to America's independence, including who wrote the Declaration, the significance of July 4th celebrations, and fascinating facts about U.S. history. 

Join hosts Amy & Cece as we review key events like the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the first Independence Day festivities, and fun historical trivia, including presidents who died on July 4th and how Americans celebrate today with fireworks and parades. 

In this episode you'll find engaging questions, fun facts, and a meaningful quote from John Adams. Ideal for young history enthusiasts, teachers, and families looking to learn together.

#AmericanHistory #IndependenceDay #FourthofJuly #AmericanRevolution #KidsHistory #HistoryForKids #DeclarationOfIndependence #USAHistory #Patriotism #USHistoryFacts #HistoricalEducation #KidsLearning #USFounding #HistoryPodcast #July4thCelebration

Transcript

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress of the United States of America unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain. The call for freedom was sounded at Independence Hall with the Liberty Bell. Newly free Americans celebrated as word spread throughout the newly declared independent states. 

But the fight for independence was far from over… 

Cece: Welcome to Check this out! Podcast for kids 

And their grownups where we explore people, places, ponderings and past moments from history that shape the world around us.  My name is Amy Contreras, and I’m Cece.  

 This week on July 4th 2025 the United States is celebrating the 249th anniversary of the signing of the declaration of independence.  Its a big week for the United States.  

Cece: Woo History! 

Haha woo history indeed Cece! Its fun that the 4th of july is this week because we are in the middle of our series on past moments from history and what better past moment to talk about than the day the United States is celebrating this week?! 

Cece: Thats right! 

Talking about past moments has been so interesting.  We started this series with an episode on D-day and then we talked about the start of world war 1 and the assassination of the archduke franz ferdinand.  

Cece: What an amazing story 

Truly, there are so many amazing stories from history, that is part of what makes this podcast so fun.  And today we are going to talk about a past moment that played a critical role in the birth of our nation!  

Cece: I can’t wait! 

Then lets get right into it!  The fourth of july is a key moment in the story of the american revolutionary war and the united states fight for indpendence from England.  

First, I want to see what you already know about the 4th of july and the declaration of independence.  You know what that means… 

Cece: Its time for a lightning round! 

You know it! 

Here we go

Cece: Question #1

Who wrote the declration of independence 

1. Benjamin Franklin
2. George Washington 
3. Thomas Jefferson 

Cece: Mama mama can i guess? C Thomas Jefferson

You’re right! Thomas Jefferson drafted the original declaration of independence, but it went through a review by a committee in congress.  This committee included John Adam, and Benjamin Franklin along with other members of congress. They ultimately made 86 revisions to Jeffersons’ original draft.  

Cece: Question #2 

Question: Who ruled England when the Colonies established independence?

Cece: Uhhh I got nothing 

Well all my hamilton fans might know this, but King George III ruled England when the colonies signed the declaration of independnece.  

Cece: Question #3 

Which city hosted the first official Independence Day celebration on July 4, 1777?

A Philadelphia

B Boston 

C Washington DC 

If you said A you’re right! 

Cece: More on that later 

Cece: Question #4 

Question: What saying, associated with the British taxing the Colonies, is often referred to as a pillar in the American Revolution?

A Give me liberty or give me death 

B“No taxation without representation”

C the british are coming 

Cece: I think the answer is B 

You’re right Cece! B “no taxation without representation” was the right answer! 

Last question! 

Cece: True or False 

July 4th was the start of the revolutionary war? 

Cece: I think its false 

You’re correct Cece.  The american revolutionary war actually began on April 19th 1775.  

Cece: Great work everyone!  

I actually think our last lightning round question is a great place to start.  As we just learned April 19th 1775 the battle of Lexington and Concord took place in Massechusets. This was the first battle of the American Revolution.  

Cece: What happened mama? 

The British marched into Lexington and Concord with the goal of stopping rebellion by seizing weapons from the colonists. Instead, their actions sparked the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The colonists’ had an intricate alarm system and they summoned local militia. The colonists won this first battle but it was a long way to go for independence.  

Cece: Thats amazing 

The revolutionary war would go on for years longer.  Some view the british surrender at yorktown as the end of the war in October of 1781, but the peace treaty wasn’t signed between the british and the united states until September 3rd 1783, also known as the treaty of paris.  That is the official end of the revolutionary war.  So when we talk abut the past moment from history - the 4th of july 1776 you can see it was just at the beginning of the fight for independence. 

Cece: I can’t believe that happened!  

Interestingly, when July 4th 1776 happened Americans were getting good and bad news at the same time. While americans were celebrating the news of the declaration of independence British troops were also making arriving in New York, this was happening as the Liberty Bell rang in Philadelphia. 

Cece: Things were not easy 

On July 9, 1776, General George Washington, ordered the Declaration of Independence read aloud to his men in new york city as they were preparing to fight the british. He hoped that by hearing it they would find new meaning in the war for independence.

Cece: I had no idea 

That wasn’t the only time the declaration of independence was read outlout! Remember in 1776 they didn’t have phones, or internet, only mail that was delivered by horses/trains, and word of mouthl.  On July 8, 1776, the first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia’s Independence Square to the ringing of bells and band music. 

Cece: Wow i Love it! 

56 members of the Second Continental Congress signed the declaration of independence after voting it to life on July 2nd 1776.  

Here are some fun other facts about the 4th of july 

• Cece: Fact #1
  • The colonies officially voted to declare independence on July 2 
  • But the doucment of the declaration of independence was formalized on July 4th. Some members of congress signed on the 4th but most didn’t sign until august of 1776.  
  • Bonus fact - John Adams though july 2nd would be the day future generations would celebrate 
• Cece: Fact #2 
  • The first organized Independence Day celebrations were held in Philadelphia and Boston in 1777. 
  • In Philadelphia the festivities included fireworks and bell ringing.  In honor of the 13 colonies, a fleet of ships fired 13-cannon salutes, and a cannon was fired from each of 13 galleys. 
• Cece: Fact #3 
  • Three U.S. presidents have died on Independence Day
    • Cece: What?! 
  • Yup. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and James Monroe all died on the Fourth of July. Adams and Jefferson died within hours of one another on July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration’s passage. J
  • ames Monroe also died on July 4, though he outlived Jefferson and Adams by five years, passing away in 1831.
• Cece: Fact #4
  • on the opposite end of the spectrum President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872
• Cece: Fact #5 
  • According to the American Pyrotechnics Association Americans spent 2.3 billion on fireworks in 2023

Cece: What was your favorite fact? 

In 1870 the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal workers, and in 1938 it became a paid federal holiday. Today millions of people celebrate with barbeques, parades, fireworks, and wearing american flag colors!  

Cece: I’ve seen it! 

How do you and your famliy celebrate the 4th of july?  

Before we wrap up the episode- we want to leave you with just a couple more fun facts about independence day and the declration of independence 

1. Mary Katharine Goddard, who was commissioned by Congress to print copies of the important document, added her name below the original signers’ names. Though it’s not clear why she included her name, Goddard was a well-known patriot and one of the first women publishers and postmasters in the young country.
2. the Declaration of Independence was stored at Fort Knox during World War II
3. According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, 150 million hot dogs are eaten on the 4th of July 
4. Last one! The first 4th of July celebration held at the White House on July 4, 1801, when Thomas Jefferson was president

Cece: That is cool! 

This past moment in history is something still celebrated today and it means a lot to different people for different reasons.  It can be a time to honor veterans, our nations history, or just take time to be with loved ones.  It didn’t feel right to write a poem for today’s episode becuase there are so many songs and poems that celebrate this past moment from history.  So instead we are going to read you a quote from John Adams about independence day.  Remember, he thought july 2nd would be what was ultimately celebrated as independence day- but listen anyways :) 

Cece: Hit me with it 

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.—I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be Solemnized with Pomp and Parade with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

Cece: What a great quote 

Thanks for listening with us as we talked about past moment from history, the 4th of july 1776.  At the “check this out” we know it can be hard to know if information you find online is accurate!  We use verified sources to build the stories you hear about. 

Cece: Our sources for this episode are

 the naitonal park sevice, library of congress, encyclopedia britannica, PBS, american battlefield trust, history.com  and the massechustes historical society 

Cece: Thanks for listening, see you next episode, don’t forget to subscribe 

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalmall4th/history-of-independence-day.htm?ref=journal.stephenoliveto.com 

https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/july-04/#:~:text=On%20July%204%2C%201776%2C%20the,colonies'%20separation%20from%20Great%20Britain. 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Independence-Day-United-States-holiday 

https://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/history-independence-day/ 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/8-things-didnt-know-fourth-july 

https://www.masshist.org/database/viewer.php?item_id=102&pid=17#:~:text=The%20Second%20Day%20of%20July,of%20Devotion%20to%20God%20Almighty.