Happy (first Monday in) July! History Lesson.

As I sit on my couch drinking a Diet Coke (I know it's 10AM), watching back-to-back episodes of The Bachelorette before tonight's hometown dates, (don't you just LOVE Emily Maynard?), I thought I'd blog a bit about July 4th. Here's a non-traditional history lesson on the 4th of July. Or if this were a yearbook, let's call it "4th of July...through the years."

1776 - The Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

1802 - In West Point, New York, the United States Military Academy opens.

1803 - The Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people.

1804 - Nathaniel Hawthorne is born.

1817 - In Rome, New York (semi-close to Rochester) construction begins on the Erie Canal.
 (How many of you know the Erie Canal song)? We'll let The Boss teach you a lesson if you don't.

 

1826 - Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams die on the same day. (3rd and 2nd POTUS, respectively), on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

1827 - Slavery is abolished in New York State!

1831 - "My Country 'Tis of Thee" was written for 4th of July festivities in Boston, Mass. James Monroe, 5th POTUS, dies.

1865 - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is published. (See I told you, non-traditional, but fun-to-know facts nonetheless. Thanks, Wikipedia).

1872 - Calvin Coolidge, 30th US President, is born.

1886 - The French offer The Statue of Liberty to the United States. ( I love all the NY-related facts on here)!

1910 - Gloria Stuart (Older Rose Dawson/Rose DeWitt Bukater from Titanic) is born. 

1918 - Twin sisters "Dear Abby" and Ann Landers are born.

1939 - Lou Gherig announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.

1943 - TV Journalist Geraldo Rivera is born.

1960 - The 50-star American Flag debuts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Yay, Hawaii)!

1971 - Koko, the gorilla who learned American Sign Language, is born.

1997 - NASA's space probe, Pathfinder, lands on Mars.

2004 - The cornerstone of The Freedom Tower is laid on the site of The World Trade Center, in New York City.

2009  - The Statue of Liberty's crown re-opens for public viewing; the first time since September 11, 2001.

Corey brings an engagement ring to the July 4th Fireworks, but instead proposes exactly one week later, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at John F. Kennedy Park.

Well, thanks for sticking around for the "Fun Facts of the Fourth." We're hosting a family and friends party for roughly 14, and I'll be sharing a pulled pork recipe, photos of the fun and fireworks, and then putting my feet up on the 5th. What's everyone else doing? Enjoy the holiday, folks!