According the National Archives, "Independence Day should have been July 2."
How in the world did we miss by two days?
While the Declaration of Independence was dated July 4, the National Archives points out the document was actually voted on two days earlier, making July 2, 1776 America's true day of independence.
But really isn't one day an insufficient marker for world events as large as the birthing of nations? For instance, why do we remember 8/29/05 as Katrina day? Sure, that was when the shoddy Corps constructed floodwalls collapsed, but if we're looking for an official beginning of crisis point why not go with the day Meemaw declared a State of Emergency? (8/26) Or the day Nagin issued the mandatory evacuation? (8/28) Or maybe even the day Condoleeza Rice went shoe shopping. (9/1) When you look at it, it seems kind of arbitrary that we've gone and sullied John McCain's birthday for all time with this.
Anyway, I'm all for stretching the Independence Day celebration out to a full month if we can. (The Declaration of Independence wasn't actually signed until August 2, after all.) That way I can play the "Gunshots or Fireworks?" game with more confidence for longer.
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