Happy 250th Anniversary United States

As the United States approaches a historic milestone, Americans across the country are preparing to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. The occasion offers an opportunity to reflect on the nation's past, honor the contributions of generations of Americans, and look ahead to the future. 
Along with the celebrations come many stories and legends about America's founding. Here are 10 popular myths and misconceptions about the founding of the United States: 
 The Declaration of Independence was not signed on July 4, 1776. 
While Congress officially adopted the Declaration on July 4, most delegates did not sign the document until Aug. 2, 1776. 
 Thomas Jefferson did not sign the Constitution. 
Although Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, he was serving as the United States envoy to France during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and was not present to sign the Constitution. 
 Andrew Jackson did not sign the Constitution either. 
Jackson was only 9 years old when the Constitution was signed in 1787. He later became the seventh president of the United States. 
 The Founding Fathers did not seriously consider the turkey as the national symbol. 
The debate over the Great Seal of the United States lasted for years and included many proposed designs involving patriotic and symbolic imagery. Benjamin Franklin once praised the turkey in a private letter, but it was never a serious contender to replace the bald eagle. 
 The Liberty Bell probably did not ring on July 4, 1776. 
Historians say there is no evidence the bell rang immediately after the Declaration was adopted. Some historians also note the bell tower was in poor condition at the time. 
 There were not originally 13 fully independent colonies. 
Before independence, Delaware was officially considered part of Pennsylvania as the "Lower Counties on the Delaware." It declared itself separate in 1776. 
 There is no definitive proof Betsy Ross created the first American flag. 
Much of the story comes from family testimony shared decades later. Historians say there is no conclusive evidence proving or disproving her role in creating the flag. 
 The Declaration of Independence and Constitution were not written on hemp paper. 
Both documents were written on parchment made from animal skin, although some drafts may have been written on hemp paper, which was common at the time. 
 Most Founders who signed the Declaration of Independence did not sign the Constitution. 
Only six men signed both documents: George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, James Wilson and Roger Sherman. 
 The Constitution does not contain the phrase "All men are created equal." 
That famous line appears in the Declaration of Independence. The original Constitution included compromises related to slavery, including the Three-Fifths Clause, which counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for congressional representation purposes. 
As America prepares to celebrate its semi quincentennial in 2026, understanding the facts behind the nation's founding can help separate history from legend while appreciating the complexities of the country's beginnings.