As the United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4 with explosive pomp and ceremony, has it ever occurred to you to think why it is called The Fourth of July and not July 4 as is the standard date format in the USA – the irony being that Independence Day marks freedom from the “Kingdom of Great Britain” (now UK) by using the British date form.
There are a couple of reason for this, the most obvious being that “The Fourth of July” is considered the name of the event and national holiday while July 4th is just how you would say the date; for example, “The Fourth of July event will take place on July 4th, 2014”. Another valid explanation is that it simply reflects the language of the time and how people spoke in the 18th century. For example, in the famous letter written by John Adams to his wife about the Declaration of Independence he wrote:
“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It 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.”
Besides the date format, you may notice another curiosity in the quote by John Adams; that is, he referred to Independence Day celebrations as taking place on July 2. For those who have forgotten their 4th grade history lessons, while the Declaration of Independence, drafted by John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman was intended to be accepted by all thirteen colonies on July 2, 1776, the draft was not fully adopted until July 4 of the same year, although it was not until August 2, 1776 that all the signatures were signed on the document. So rather than The Fourth of July, it could quite easily have been The Second of August!
Nowadays in the United States, you would be left in no doubt as to which date to celebrate the Declaration of Independence. Just one look up into the skies as the sun sets on July 4 to see spectacular fireworks displays will be enough to prove you have got the date right.
If you are staying at Villa del Palmar Cancun this Fourth of July, be sure to have your photograph taken with our very own Statue of Liberty modeled by one of the activities team or enjoy the Independence Day Buffet while watching the Michael Jackson Show.
Why not make Independence Day next year an even more special date with a family vacation at Villa del Palmar Cancun, where we make sure you celebrate in style any day of the year.
