Five Things You Need To Know Today: July 3

1. A light breeze will come from the Gulf of Maine to keep temperatures in the low 80s on a sunny day.

2. On this day in 1775, George Washington took command of the Continental Army in Cambridge. The Continental Congress would not declare independence from England until July 2, 1776. July 2? Yes. That’s when they signed it. They announced it two days later.

3. The Pilgrim Belle starts up its harbor tours from 11am to 7pm from State Pier. The paddle boat actually runs under paddle power, not some hidden propulsion. If a Louisiana-style boat seems anachronistic in Plymouth, consider this - Champlain first mapped the harbor for Europeans and named it Port Saint Louis.

4. "Over the Pinehills", Manomet celebrates Independence Day a day early (or is that a day late) tonight with bonfires on White Horse Beach. See the previous story for details.

5. Send us your photos of those festivities.