AOA Today - Fun 4th of July Facts
This time of year, it's easy to reminisce about the good memories of summertime! We're all enjoying time off from school (if not doing summer school) and spending time in the warm weather. We're busy with picnics, swimming, camping, and baseball, and of course, we're looking forward to the fireworks on the 4th of July.
While the celebration of our nation's independence is what we usually think of on this day, many other interesting and important events have occurred on the 4th of July. For example, did you know about these other significant events that happened on July 4th?
•1803 - President Thomas Jefferson announced the purchase of 829,000 square miles of land from France for $15 million, which we know as the Louisiana Purchase. The deal doubled the size of the U.S. at the time and gave us all or part of 14 states as well as the key port city of New Orleans.
•1826 - John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two of America's Founding Fathers, died. Americans owe these two a great debt of gratitude for guiding our young nation through trying times.
•1865 - Looking for an adventure down the rabbit hole and into a wacky and silly world this summer? How about Alice in Wonderland? Published in 1865, the year the Civil War ended, this book has never been out of print and has been enjoyed by millions of children and adults.
•1886 - The people of France offered the Statue of Liberty to the people of the United States. Remember, it was the French who assisted the Americans during the Revolutionary War. The statue was given to commemorate 100 years of American independence and friendship between the two countries.
•1892 - Did you know that in one country, there was more than one July 4th in the same year? How, you might ask? Western Samoa changed the International Date Line so that there were 367 days for the year, with two occurrences of Monday, July 4
.
•1997 - The Mars Pathfinder landed on the surface of Mars, 20 years after the first spacecraft was sent to study the planet. The Pathfinder carried the Sojourner, the first rover for another planet, which took many pictures and rock samples.So while you're enjoying some hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream and fireworks this 4th of July, don't forget that history is made every day, even on holidays.
Do you have a fun 4th of July memory or interesting history fact? Share it with us!
•1803 - President Thomas Jefferson announced the purchase of 829,000 square miles of land from France for $15 million, which we know as the Louisiana Purchase. The deal doubled the size of the U.S. at the time and gave us all or part of 14 states as well as the key port city of New Orleans.
•1826 - John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two of America's Founding Fathers, died. Americans owe these two a great debt of gratitude for guiding our young nation through trying times.
•1865 - Looking for an adventure down the rabbit hole and into a wacky and silly world this summer? How about Alice in Wonderland? Published in 1865, the year the Civil War ended, this book has never been out of print and has been enjoyed by millions of children and adults.
•1886 - The people of France offered the Statue of Liberty to the people of the United States. Remember, it was the French who assisted the Americans during the Revolutionary War. The statue was given to commemorate 100 years of American independence and friendship between the two countries.
•1892 - Did you know that in one country, there was more than one July 4th in the same year? How, you might ask? Western Samoa changed the International Date Line so that there were 367 days for the year, with two occurrences of Monday, July 4
.
•1997 - The Mars Pathfinder landed on the surface of Mars, 20 years after the first spacecraft was sent to study the planet. The Pathfinder carried the Sojourner, the first rover for another planet, which took many pictures and rock samples.So while you're enjoying some hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream and fireworks this 4th of July, don't forget that history is made every day, even on holidays.
Do you have a fun 4th of July memory or interesting history fact? Share it with us!
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