Happy Independence Day!

Everyone at Blue Box Rental wishes you and your family a safe and happy Independence Day.

As we celebrate this great American holiday, we thought it would be a great time to learn more about this pivotal period in our nation’s history AND enjoy some Independence Day Trivia. We hope you will take the time to learn a little more about our country’s legendary beginnings and then, if you’re in need of a dumpster rental service, contact us for the expert help we can provide.

Did You Know: On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. The colonies and England had already been at odds for a year when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. In a June 7th session in the Pennsylvania State House (today it is called Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the now-famous words:

“Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

These words led to the drafting of a statement presenting to the world the colonies’ case for independence. Members of the committee included John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. The drafting of the actual document — The Declaration of Independence — was given to Jefferson.

On July 1, 1776, the Continental Congress reconvened, and on the following day, the resolution for independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies. The process of revision continued through all of July 3 and into the late afternoon of July 4, when the Declaration was officially adopted. Today, the original copy of the Declaration is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence. The tradition of it being a patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th an unpaid federal holiday. It became a paid federal holiday in 1938.

Independence Day Trivia

1. Only John Hancock actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. All the others signed later.
2. The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men from 13 colonies. Each could have been tried for treason had the revolution failed, losing their lives and their family property.
3. The average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was 45. The youngest was Thomas Lynch, Jr (27) of South Carolina. The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin (70) of Pennsylvania. The lead author, Thomas Jefferson, was 33.
4. The only two signers of the Declaration of Independence who later served as President of the United States were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
5. The stars on the original American flag were in a circle so all the Colonies would appear equal.
6. The first Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. This was also the day that the Declaration of Independence was first read in public after people were summoned by the ringing of the Liberty Bell.
7. The White House held its first 4th of July party in 1801.
8. Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe all died on July 4th. Adams and Jefferson (both signed the Declaration) died on the same day within hours of each other in 1826.
9. In 1776, there were 2.5 million people living in the new nation. Today the population of the U.S.A. is 326 million.
10. Fireworks are part of the tradition of celebrating this national holiday. More than 250 million pounds of fireworks will go up in smoke in 2018.
11. Grilling food is also big on Independence Day. Approximately 150 million hot dogs are consumed on this day.
12. Every 4th of July, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped (not actually rung) thirteen times in honor of the original thirteen colonies.

If you would like to help cleaning up around your home or if you have questions about our dumpster rental services, call our Hagerstown, MD office at 301-331-4117. Blue Box Rental  is proud to provide dumpster rentals in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in the following zip codes:

Big Pool MD 21711 | Boonsboro MD 21713 | Brownsville MD 21715 | Cascade MD 21719 | Cavetown MD 21720 | Chewsville MD 21721 | Clear Spring MD 21722 | Fairplay MD 21733 | Funkstown MD 21734 | Gapland MD 21779 | Hagerstown MD 21740 | Hagerstown MD 21742 | Hancock MD 21750 | Keedysville MD 21756 | Maugansville MD 21767 | Rohrersville MD 21779 | St. James MD 21781 | Sharpsburg MD 21782 | Smithsburg MD 21783 | Williamsport MD 21795 | Falling Waters WV 25419 | Mercersburg PA 17236 | Greencastle PA 17225 | State Line PA 17263