Let Freedom Ring
It’s Independence Day here in the United States. Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, is an annual celebration commemorating the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776; announcing the political separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain. The very first Fourth of July celebration occurred in Philadelphia in 1777 where Americans fired a canon 13 times to honor the original 13 colonies. The Fourth of July wasn’t declared a federal holiday until 1941.
While we celebrate our freedom on July 4th, the Continental Congress did not vote for Independence day on July 4th. All but one colony, New York, had voted to approve a resolution calling for Independence on July 2nd and the large portion of the original signers of the Declaration didn’t ink their names until August 2nd.
July 4th is the date that is widely recognized as Independence Day due to the Continental Congress approving the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 making that the date included in the documentation. However, a few of those who did sign the Declaration believed Independence Day should be celebrated on July 2nd rather than on the 4th. A few people, like John Adams, had denied requests to participate in festivities that took place on the 4th due to this.
Interestingly enough, Former Presidents and Declaration signers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both passed away on the same day: July 4, 1826; on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. The third President to pass away on Independence Day was James Monroe in 1831. While the only President to be born on Independence Day was Calvin Coolidge in 1872.
Whether you choose to celebrate our colonial freedom on July 2nd or July 4th on thing is for certain, these names can be freely celebrated all year long. These 30 names are perfect for your Independence Day celebration.
Aditi
Origin: Sanskrit - Meaning: Freedom, Security, Boundless
Arlene
Origin: Irish - Meaning: Pledge, Promise
Armani
Origin: Persian - Meaning: Freeman
Alzena
Origin: Arabic - Meaning: Analytical Woman Longing for Freedom
Azad
Origin: Persian - Meaning: Free
Blythe
Origin: English - Meaning: Carefree and Happy
Brady
Origin: Irish - Meaning: Free Spirited
Carolina
Origin: French - Meaning: Free
Charlize
Origin: South African - Meaning: Free Man
Charlotte
Origin: French - Meaning: Free Will
Chaz
Origin: German - Meaning: Free Man
Darby
Origin: Irish, Norse - Meaning: Free From Envy, From The Deer Estate
Dermot
Origin: Irish - Meaning: Free From Envy
Duze
Origin: British - Meaning: Freedom-Loving Being
Eleftheria
Origin: Ancient Greek - Meaning: Freedom or Death
Eleutheria
Origin: Ancient Greek - Meaning: Liberty, Freedom
Elira
Origin: Albanian - Meaning: To Be Free
Erkin
Origin: Turkish - Meaning: Free and Independent
Frances
Origin: Latin - Meaning: Free One
Fremont
Origin: French - Meaning: Free, Noble, Generous, Protection
Indie
Origin: American - Meaning: Short for Independence
Isocrates
Origin: Ancient Greek - Meaning: Equal Power
Jeffrey
Origin: German, English - Meaning: Pledge of Peace
Kermit
Origin: Irish, variation of Dermot - Meaning: Free Man From Envy
Liberty
Origin: English - Meaning: Liberty
Lysander
Origin: Greek - Meaning: Liberator
Malaya
Origin: Filipino - Meaning: Free
Maverick
Origin: English - Meaning: Independent Nonconformist
Moksha
Origin: Sanskrit - Meaning: Liberation, Salvation
Saoirse
Origin: Irish - Meaning: Freedom