Independence Day

Trouble viewing? [Click here.]( Daily Debunker 4 July 2018 Independence Day. On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, renouncing British rule over the thirteen North American colonies, which would thenceforth be known as the United States of America. It is also, along with the historical events that preceded and followed it, the subject of myths, rumors, and misconceptions. Today we commemorate the birth of the United States by revisiting some of its founding folklore. Enjoy! Hancock’s retort. Did the Declaration’s first signer, John Hancock, aim a verbal barb at the King of England after affixing his famously large signature to the document? ([False]() The price they paid. A widely shared Internet article purports to give true accounts of the lives and fates of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. ([Mixture]() The Grey House? Legend has it that the White House, which was originally painted grey and known in its early days as the President’s House, received its current designation when it was painted white after the British tried to burn it down in 1814. ([False]() Prophetic vision. According to the supposed reminiscences of a contemporary of George Washington, the nation’s first president prophesied an America embattled by civil war. ([False]() Ahead of his time. Did founding father Benjamin Franklin say the first responsibility of every citizen is to “question authority”? ([Unproven]() Daily Debunker won’t be published on Thursday, 5 July so our staff can take a well-deserved rest. See you on Friday! Rumor Rundown Excess gas. A common rumor holds that a car bearing a full tank of gas on an exceptionally hot day may explode due to increased pressure and heat. ([False]() In his own image. Did North Carolina Republican candidate Russell Walker say “God is a racist and a white supremacist”? The GOP candidate has made no secret of his racist and anti-Semitic views. ([Mostly true]() No rights. Do children in immigration proceedings have no right to court-appointed representation? A June 2018 news report accurately described the controversial reality of children facing deportation proceedings. ([True]() Fashion statement. Are these girls wearing “F*ck Trump” shirts? Shirts featuring 'the F word' are commonplace at political rallies, but the origins of this viral image are unclear. ([Unproven]() Dank meme. Did Senate Democrats call for Supreme Court nominees to ignore the U.S. Constitution? A meme containing fake quotes from a satirical article managed to take in some followers of conservative commentator David Clarke. ([False]() Pet friendly. "Silent fireworks" shows are a thing, but contrary to what has been claimed they don't employ a newly-invented form of noise-suppressing pyrotechnics. ([Mixture]() In the News President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags on federal property to be flown at [half-staff]( through sunset Tuesday to honor five newspaper journalists slain in Maryland's capital. Chief Justice John Roberts is the Supreme Court's new man in the middle as the highest bench in the land moves [well to the right]( . Maryland police investigating America's latest mass murder say Jarrod Ramos, the man charged with the slayings, sent three [threatening letters]( on the day of the attack. The Trump administration is [rescinding]( Obama-era affirmative action guidance that encouraged schools to take a person’s race into account to encourage diversity in admissions. Musician Richard Swift, who has been in bands such as The Shins, The Arcs and The Black Keys, has [died]( at the age of 41. A New Hampshire woman who answered a scammer's ad to pick up and ship an illegally purchased computer has been charged with [stealing the laptop]( and shipping magazines instead. --------------------------------------------------------------- You are currently signed up to receive our daily newsletter, the “Daily Debunker.” You will only receive it on the days selected in your preferences center. View your preferences[here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Forward This Email]( Staff Pick Wooden smile. As every American knows (even if they skipped American history in school), President George Washington wore false teeth made of wood. Just like he admitted chopping down that cherry tree at age six. [Read more]( Snopes.com has long been engaged the battle against misinformation and fake news online, an effort we couldn't sustain without the support of our readers. If you'd like to learn more about how you can assist us, click [here](. If you'd like to make a monetary contribution, click the button below. [CONTRIBUTE]( The Latest Will Cars with Full Gas Tanks Explode on Hot Days? A common rumor holds that a car bearing a full tank of gas on an exceptionally hot day may explode due to increased pressure and heat. This claim makes no sense. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Police: Shooter Sent “Kill” Letter Before Newspaper Attack Maryland police investigating America's latest mass murder say Jarrod Ramos, the man charged with the slayings, sent three threatening letters on the day of the attack. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Roberts May Hold Key Vote as Supreme Court Moves Right Chief Justice John Roberts is the Supreme Court's new man in the middle. It's just that the middle may have moved well to the right. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Trump Orders U.S. Flags Lowered to Honor Slain Journalists President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. flags on federal property be flown at half-staff through sunset Tuesday to honor five newspaper journalists slain in Maryland's capital. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Margarita-Loving Bear Takes a Dip in a California Hot Tub Over the course of a few hours the bear availed itself of a resident's backyard, his hot tub, and the cocktail he left behind. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Is This ‘Sugar-Free Sugar’ Bag Real? Exactly what would a bag of sugarless sugar hold? And how would it taste? [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [View More]( Help us make the Daily Debunker better by providing your feedback [here](. 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