Thank you for the informative post. As I recall - perhaps it was Jefferson? - that said something like “This day (July 2) will be remembered with fireworks and parades as a day.....” And as I recall, they were waiting on a couple of more guys to review it and sign it?
I just straightened out my granddaughter on the GW cherry tree bit. The true story: He killed his mother’s favorite colt “horsing around” with the guys. He may have told the truth to mom....but I’ll bet he didn’t get praise for the truth and got a severe punishment.
John Adams correctly predicted the holiday, but was off on the date. July 2 was when the congress voted to declare independence and it was that date he thought would be commemorated.
July 4 was when the official language of the Declaration was approved, but the act was taken 2 days earlier.