 We celebrate our independence on July 4th, but the colonies officially declared independence on July 2nd, 1776, not the 4th. Only two men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thompson. Wrapping up of signatures wasn't until August 2nd. Three U.S. presidents have died on Independence Day, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe. Conversely, America's 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4th.