Color Palette...July

image source

A Celebration of our country's independence!!

Really fun facts...

• In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation... 2.5 million
• The nation's estimated population on this July Fourth... 311.7 million
• Two very important but little known 4th of July facts show that 1) full support of the Declaration of Independence was not supported by all members of the Continental Congress and 2) a representative of Congress rode horseback 80 miles to reach Philadelphia and break a tie in support of independence.
• Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle.
• Oddly, the majority of the nation's flags and patriotic paraphernalia in relation to the Fourth of July is produced in China. Nearly $349 million are used each year to import the flags, banners, decorations, and emblems.
• There is no official designation or meaning for the colors of the flag.
  There is no record stating why red, white, and blue where chosen for the flag. However, when the Great Seal of the United States was chosen this is what was listed for them.
  white for purity and innocence
  red for valor and hardiness
  blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice
• Folktales says that George Washington interpreted the flag in this way:
  the stars were taken from the sky,
  the red from the British colors,
  and the white stripes signified the secession from the home country. 
• Three American presidents have died on the fourth of July. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the same day, in 1826. They had been rivals in everything, even about who would live longest. Adams’ last words were about his long-time foe: “Thomas Jefferson lives!” In fact, Jefferson had died just five hours earlier, but Adams hadn’t gotten the message. James Monroe is the third president to die on July 4th, but he died in 1831.
• Fireworks and parades have long-since been a staple in Independence Day celebrations. In that same letter of John Adams about celebrating on July 2nd, he wrote that the day
  “Ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the  other, from this time forward forever more.” 
  And so colonists celebrated the fourth even before they knew if they would win the war, setting off fireworks July 4th, 1777. Fireworks were further popularized in the late 1700s by politicians that had displays at their speeches, and they became a firmly established tradition by the 1800s.
  It is also said, that fireworks displays were used as morale boosters for soldiers in the Revolutionary war.  At the time however, fireworks were the same type of explosives used in war and were called rockets, not fireworks.
  Hope everyone has a wonderful July 4th weekend!!