10 Astonishing Facts on the 4th of July
The 4th of July has a rich history of astonishing facts, and I’m sure practically everyone will be celebrating in some fashion on that day. Here are some facts that are not well known at all, so you can amaze your friends with your patriotic knowledge over hotdogs and fireworks!
1. Some copies of the Declaration of Independence have the signature of a woman!
Congress hired Mary Katharine Goddard to print copies of the historic document, and she added her own signature to those of the official signers in 1776.
2. We waited until July 4, 1960 for the 50th star to be added to the flag!
It symbolized Hawaii’s admission as the 50th state to our country.
3. Independence Day is really July 2!
The Continental Congress declared freedom from Great Britain on July 2, 1776 – but the official document explaining this to the public was published on July 4, 1776.
4. How much is spent on fireworks…?!
The total is over $1 billion every 4th of July.
5. The Star-Spangled Banner took awhile to catch on!
Francis Scott Key wrote the poem in 1814 after seeing the British attack Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It took 117 years to be recognized by the federal government as the words to our national anthem – in 1931.
6. You had to be special to ring the Liberty Bell!
Every year on July 4, only the children who were descendants of the Declaration signers would strike the Liberty Bell 13 times – to honor the original 13 colonies. The last time was in February 1846 because the bell suffered a large crack.
7. Only two congressmen originally signed the document!
Only Charles Thompson and John Hancock actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The other 54 delegates signed over the course of the next month.
8. Three U.S. presidents have died on the 4th of July!
They were James Monroe, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
9. When did we start celebrating with fireworks?
The tradition of fireworks on the 4th of July began on the first anniversary in 1777.
10. The governmental wheels move slowly. . .
The 4th of July was not determined to be a federal holiday until 1870, nearly 100 years after the nation was founded.
Back to piano . . .
The second edition title heading for all the book series (age 4 to 5; age 6 to Early Teen; Older Teen to Adult; Improvise with Chords) is now PIANO Revolution. You may still see a book or two around of the first edition, Revolutionary Piano Method, which does not have the updates.
Any and all comments are welcome about the topics that are published on this website. I will try to accommodate as many as possible in future articles – and thank you for your input!
This content will be of most interest to:
- Parents who homeschool
- Professional piano instructors
- Individuals desiring piano books for beginners
- Educators of Instructional Design for piano
- Adults desiring a self-teaching piano book
- Parents wondering the best age to start piano lessons for a child
What Would the First Lesson for a Young Student Look Like?
What Would the First Lesson for a 6 to Teen Look Like (video)?
View sample pages of all the books for students
ages 6 to teen:
View sample pages of all the books for students
4 to 5 years old:
View sample pages of all the books for older
teens and adults:
View the books on Amazon:
About the Author, Composer,
Illustrator, Educator, and
Eternal Optimist
Leslie Young is the author, composer, and illustrator of the PIANO Revolution method books (originally titled as the Revolutionary Piano Method). She co-founded a K-12th grade charter school in Texas and has been a piano teacher for over 40 years. She has had experience teaching a variety of students tackling piano for the first time or as returning students.
Young believes that “learning to play the piano is more about diligence and perseverance” – but would add that just as critical to success is the method that is used, the pattern of critical thinking, and the instructional principles that promote immediate success.
She states: “In teaching piano to students of varying ages, what also varies is a commitment of time and the amount of dedication. Children of younger ages may do very well with a parent as teacher; others may need someone who is not family to instruct them. Some older children and adults prefer to make progress on their own, and this method is designed to act as a meticulous guide through new material. Some adults and teens insist on professional teachers, which also encourages continuity.
Because these books are self-explanatory, a novice or experienced professional teacher will have no trouble using the PIANO Revolution method with students. It’s an easy and effective way to learn piano.”
