PG2 FREEDOM |Saturday, July 2, 2022 a federal holiday in 1941, but 1776, delegates from the 13 colo- States of America. July 4th has stood as the birth of nies adopted the Declaration of In- A total of 56 delegates signed American independence for much dependence. the document. Although John longer. July 4th marks a pivotal The Declaration of Indepen- Hancock’s signature is the largest, moment in the American Revo- dence is an historic document it did not hold more weight than lution. According to PBS, the drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Jef- the other signatures. Rather, rumor colonies were forced to pay taxes ferson was considered the stron- has it, Hancock signed it so large to England’s King George III de- gest and most eloquent writer of so that the “fat, old King could spite having no representation in the declaration writing committee read it without his spectacles.” the British Parliament. “Taxation charged with putting the colonies’ However, the National Archives without representation” became sentiments into words. Richard says it was also customary that, a battle cry and was one of sev- Henry Lee ofVirginia was one of since Hancock was the president eral grievances colonists had with the first people to present a resolu- of the Continental Congress, he be Great Britain. tion for American independence, Conflict between the colonies and his commentary was the im- the first person to sign the docu- Few summertime holidays elicit cues, enjoy the sun, listen to their had been going on for at least petus for the formal Declaration ment centered below the text. a year before the colonies con- of Independence. A total of 86 The Pennsylvania Evening Post as much excitement as the Fourth favorite summertime tunes, and vened a Continental Congress in changes were made to Jefferson’s was the first newspaper to print the of July, also known as Indepen- commemorate the freedoms af- Declaration of Independence on Philadelphia in June of 1776, says original draft until the final ver- dence Day in the United States. forded by the monumental events July 6, 1776. The first public read- Military.com. On July 2, 1776, sion was adopted. The signing of Each year, family, friends and that led to the holiday’s establish- the Continental Congress voted in the document helped to solidify ings of the Declaration were held revelers anticipate the arrival of ment. favor of independence from Eng- independence, and eventually lead in Philadelphia’s Independence the holiday so they can host barbe- Independence Day became land. Two days later, on July 4, to the formation of the United Square on July 8, 1776. Vary Bu-tkhdag America!! P&M Auto _o InterBank (580) 225-5580+ 1620 W. 3rd St. Elk City, OK 73644 FDIC Service Center 1605 W. 3rd Street, Elk City - 580.225.0014 Mack Pruitt/Owner