Three facts about Fourth of July 4 you may/may not know: 1. Independence Day is really longer than a day July 4 is the day we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but not all 56 eventual signers signed that day, few others signed the original a few days later on July 8 th . Most members of the Second Continental Congress did not sign the Declaration of Independence until August 2 nd . 2. Why red, white and blue? The common story is that the colors represent purity and innocence (white), hardiness and valor (red), and vigilance, perseverance and justice (blue). The colors of the flag, however, may simply have been chosen because it was designed after the British Union Jack. 3. Why the fireworks? Fireworks on the Fourth of July is a tradition dating back to 1777, the first anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife that he wanted Independence Day to be celebrated with para...