Happy Independence Day!

General Machinery would like to wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July.

In observance of America's birthday we will be closed Monday, July 4th, and will resume our regular schedule on Tuesday, July 5th. As always, we will have someone on call to assist you with your emergency needs.

Fourth of July Facts:

• The Designer of the 50-Star Flag Lived in Lancaster, Ohio

In 1958, a history teacher assigned a class assignment to redesign the national flag as both Alaska and Hawaii neared statehood.

Robert G. Heft, who was 16 at the time, designed a new flag using the old 48-star flag and $2.87 worth of blue cloth and white iron-on material. His design earned him a B-minus to which he challenged by sending it to Washington D.C. to be considered by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

According to his obituary, Heft was one of thousands to submit a flag design but he was the only person who actually stitched together a flag and shipped it to D.C.

Once the flag was selected, Heft's grade was rightfully changed to an A. His design became the official flag in 1960.

• There is Something Written on the Back of the Declaration of Independence

No, it isn't a treasure map written in invisible ink.

According to the History Channel, a simple message is written upside-down across the bottom of the signed document that reads, "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776."

According to the same article, no one knows who wrote this or when, but it was believed to have been added as a label during the years of the Revolutionary War when parchment was frequently rolled up for transport.

• The Declaration of Independence Was Written on a Laptop

Okay, not a modern laptop, but still. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a writing desk that could fit over one's lap. This device was referred to at the time as a "laptop."

• We Didn't Actually Declare Independence on the 4th of July

One of the greatest misconceptions of the 4th of July lies in the name and date. It is widely believed that America declared their independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. However, the official vote actually took place two days before and the “Declaration” was published in papers on July 4.