On this day, Thomas Jefferson recorded the temperature four separate times, went on a shopping spree and gave to charity. How to explain all of his free time? Was July 4 just another day for the Founding Fathers?

John Adams predicts that future generations will celebrate July 2nd for generations. Adams got the date wrong, but he didn't oversell its importance.

On this day, Thomas Jefferson recorded the temperature four separate times, went on a shopping spree and gave to charity. How to explain all of his free time? Was July 4 just…