- The oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence was Benjamin Franklin who was 70. The youngest was Edward Rutledge at 26 years old.
- James Monroe, the 5th U.S. President, died on July 4, 1831.
- Calvin Coolidge, the 30th U.S. President, was born on July 4th 1872 – the only president that was born on Independence Day.
- The oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence was Benjamin Franklin who was 70. The youngest was Edward Rutledge at 26 years old.
- The first person to sign the Declaration of Independence was John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress at the time. His name became synonymous with the term “signature” because of his large, ornate signature.
- The last person to sign the Declaration of Independence was Thomas McKean, who signed in January of 1777.
- John Adams believed that July 2nd would be celebrated as Independence Day, because Congress agreed to declare independence on that day. July 4th was the day Congress officially adopted the document, the Declaration of Independence.
- Most colonists entered the Revolutionary War expecting to reconcile with Britain, not declare independence.
- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson – the only men that signed the Declaration of Independence who later served as President of the United States both died on July 4th 1826 – the 50th anniversary of American Independence.
- The 4th of July became a federal holiday in 1941.
To learn more check 4th of July History.