July 4 Birthday
July 4, 1776: The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. John Adams had predicted that July 2 would be celebrated for generations — that was the day the resolution for independence passed. The formal Declaration, largely written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted on the 4th. Jefferson and Adams both died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years later, unaware that the other was dying. Adams's last words were reportedly, "Thomas Jefferson survives." Jefferson had died a few hours earlier. People born on July 4 fall under the zodiac sign of Cancer. The birthstone is Ruby and the birth flower is Larkspur. Historical events on July 4 include 1776: US Declaration of Independence adopted, 1802: US Military Academy at West Point opens, 1976: Israeli commandos rescue hostages at Entebbe. Famous people born on July 4 include Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804), Calvin Coolidge (1872), Geraldo Rivera (1943).