Today in History: Happy American Independence Day!

July 4th is a special day for the United States of America, as it is Independence Day, the death of two Founding Fathers, and the 15th birthday of Malia Obama, daughter of the 44th President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson was a
very important figure
in American History

John Adams was also
a very important
figure in American History

The main elephant in the room is the U.S. declaring independence on this day in 1776. The American Revolutionary War broke out 1775, and though the United States declared independence on this day in 1776, the war lasted until September 3rd, 1783. It started out in Philadelphia  Pennsylvania, where the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims that the United States of America are independent from Great Britain. Soon, many things changed, as America became its own country. Today, many celebrate Independence Day by having a leisurely barbecue with friends and family and watch fireworks at night.

Interestingly, two men known as Founding Fathers who helped structure this new country, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died on the 50th anniversary of adopting the Declaration of Independence. John Adams was the second president of the United States while Thomas Jefferson succeeded him as the third president. On this day in 1826, John Adams last words were, "Thomas Jefferson still survives," unaware that his old friend Thomas Jefferson had died only hours before.