On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress selected Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut and Robert R. Livingston of New York to draft our Declaration of Independence.

 Knowing Jefferson's writing skills, Adams urged him to author the first draft of the document, which was then carefully revised by Adams and Franklin before being given to Congress on June 28th. Though initially adopted by Congress on July 2, 1776, the revised version was adopted on July 4, 1776.

John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and reportedly would turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. 

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In 1870 Congress made Independence Day an official unpaid holiday, and in 1938 it was changed to a paid federal holiday. 

To avoid cracking it, the Liberty Bell has not been rung since 1846. On every 4th of July it is symbolically tapped 13 times.