Rare Facts About American Independence

On this July 4th, we celebrate our nation's 235th birthday. A recent poll has shown that nearly three in four people know that America declared its independence from Great Britain. That's nearly as many who know who won American Idol this year (Scott McCreery). If you're lucky, you count yourself amongst those mentioned, and if not I hope you at least know who won the NASCAR race last weekend (David Ragan). But even if you knew all three factoids, here are some rare and interesting gems you might not know about our nation's founding.

There were actually two Boston Tea Parties. The first one was in 1773, and they had so much fun they had another one over a year later in 1774. Records indicate that Michele Bachmann was not invited to either Tea Party.

Trial lawyer and former Founding Father John Adams defended the British troops accused in the Boston Massacre. Six of eight were acquitted. Despite this "Jeremiah Wright" incident in John Adams' past, he was still elected 2nd President of the United States. But his character was never strong enough to have a beer named after him like his cousin Samuel. I, for one, hope he learned his lesson.

Fellow General Baron Friedrich Von Steuben, a Prussian aristocrat, helped whip General George Washington's army into shape at Valley Forge with strong training and fierce discipline. Without this training, Washington's army was most likely doomed against the Redcoats. Von Steuben was also very openly gay, so gay in fact that his troops could've been called Pinkcoats. He would later go on to serve as Washington's Chief of Staff and interior decorator.

A major factor in American success in the Revolutionary War was the allegiance of the French, of all people. French soldiers outnumbered American soldiers three to one at the Battle of Yorktown where the war was won. You might say that, thanks to the French, the British were toast.

Benedict Arnold denounced his Americanism in the war and became a traitor partly because he disapproved of our French alliance. Henceforth, Americans love French toast more than eggs benedict.

John Hancock is best known for having the largest signature on the Declaration of Independence but did you know that he was also a 9 time Governor of Massachusetts? And in his free time, he collected money. Lots and lots of money! Records indicate that he was the Donald Trump of his time, only with a wig instead of toupee.

Speaking of the Declaration of Independence, the first draft of the spectacular document authored by Thomas Jefferson included a condemnation of slavery. Jefferson's fellow committee members chose to edit it out only because they feared it would alienate some southern colonies and provoke them to support the King. Here it's worth noting that Jefferson himself was a slave owner. He may have hated the notion of slavery. But he loved his slaves. Literally.

Philadelphia was our nation's first Capitol. New York City was the second. During the Revolutionary War, New York City was a haven for Loyalists. Now it's a haven for Yankee fans, which isn't much better.