The Fourth of July

“He who is brave is free.”  ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Independence Day, also known as The Fourth of July, is fast approaching. This holiday has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. Here are some interesting facts about our nation’s birthday:

  • July 4 has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th Century. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence.
  • John Adams believed that July 2 should have been recognized as our Independence Day as it was the day the Continental Congress accepted the Declaration. Some changes were made, and the final wording was approved on July 4. Annoyed that Independence Day was not celebrated on July 2, Adams reportedly turned down invitations to July 4 celebrations throughout his life.
  • Most historians have concluded that only John Hancock and Charles Thompson signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and that the Declaration was signed by the others on August 2, 1776, nearly a month after its adoption.
  • Congress declared July 4 as an official holiday in 1870 as part of a bill to officially recognize other holidays, Christmas being one of them.
  • The average age of those who signed the Declaration of Independence was 45. The youngest, at age 26, were Thomas Lynch, Jr. and Edward Rutledge, both of South Carolina. The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania at age 70. Thomas Jefferson was 33.
  • On July 6, 1776, the Pennsylvania Evening Post became the first newspaper to print the now-historic Declaration of Independence.
  • John Adams, age 90, and Thomas Jefferson, age 82, both died on July 4, 1826, within 5 hours of each other, exactly 50 years after July 4, 1776. President James Monroe also died on July 4 and President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4.
  • Thomas Jefferson was the first President to hold a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in 1801.
  • According to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council (NHDSC), Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday. This is part of an estimated 7 billion that are expected to be eaten during the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
  • When the Declaration of Independence was signed, the population of the United States was 2.5 million, compared with 347,206,416 today.

 

On behalf of the Voorhees Township Committee, have a safe, happy and meaningful Fourth of July!

 

** Summer hours for the Voorhees Township Town Hall will be in effect until Tuesday, Sept. 2. The Township offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5:30pm and will be closed on Friday.

** The Voorhees Township 2025 Summer Concert Series at Connolly Park is back! Come out with your chairs and blankets and enjoy these great free shows. The first show is on Thursday, June 26 at 7pm, and will feature The FM Band. The second show is on Thursday, July 17 at 7pm, featuring Tramps Like Us, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band. On Thursday, Aug. 21 at 7pm The Beat Tells will entertain the audience with their Tribute to the Beatles. The shows will be even more enjoyable with Dooney’s Pub mobile bar and a variety of food trucks. For more information, visit voorheesnj.com, the Voorhees Township Facebook page or call the Show Hot Line 856-882-SHOW.

** Voorhees Township is once again partnering with Morey’s Piers to offer discounted tickets for their amusement piers located on the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ.  Tickets may be obtained in person from the office of the Voorhees Township Clerk (856) 429-7757 and are payable by CASH ONLY.  Tickets are available to residents and non-residents.  Office hours now until Thursday, Aug. 28: Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:30pm.