The 4th of July is just around the corner, and it’s time to break out the red, white, and blue. But hold on a second – how much do you really know about this star-spangled holiday? Sure, everyone loves the fireworks and barbecues, but there’s so much more to Independence Day than meets the eye.
Here are 17 surprising facts and figures for the 4th of July that you should know.
Not Really July 4th
The Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2, 1776. July 4th is when they approved the final text of the Declaration. John Adams thought July 2nd would be the big celebration day. We’ve been partying on the “wrong” day all along!
Hot Dog Feast
Americans eat about 150 million hot dogs on July 4th. That’s enough to stretch from D.C. to L.A. more than five times. Hot dogs have been a 4th of July staple since the 1870s. Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is a weird but popular July 4th tradition.
Fireworks Frenzy
Over 14,000 fireworks displays happen across the USA on July 4th. Americans spend over $1 billion on fireworks each year. Most fireworks in the U.S. are imported from China. Safety tip: sparklers burn at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit!
Presidential Coincidence
Three U.S. presidents died on July 4th: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe. Adams and Jefferson died on the same day, just hours apart in 1826. This was exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Talk about a patriotic send-off!
Liberty Bell Myth
The Liberty Bell wasn’t rung on July 4, 1776. It wasn’t even called the Liberty Bell until the 1830s. The famous crack appeared in the early 1840s. It’s tapped 13 times each July 4th in honor of the original 13 colonies.
Flag Facts
The current 50-star flag design was created by a high school student for a class project. He got a B- for it! The flag has been modified 26 times since 1777. The current design has been used longer than any other version.
National Anthem Twist
“The Star-Spangled Banner” wasn’t the national anthem until 1931. It was written during the War of 1812, not the Revolutionary War. The tune is actually an old British drinking song. It’s pretty hard to sing – it spans an octave and a half!
Patriotic Spending
Americans spend about $6.8 billion on 4th of July celebrations each year. This includes food, drinks, flags, and fireworks. The average household spends about $73 on their 4th of July cookout. It’s one of the biggest shopping holidays of the year.
Colonial Name Game
Only John Hancock actually signed the Declaration on July 4, 1776. Most of the other 55 signers added their names on August 2nd. The last signature wasn’t added until 1781. The Declaration was written on parchment, not paper.
Celebration Delay
The 4th of July wasn’t a federal holiday until 1870. It took nearly 100 years for it to become an official day off. The first public 4th of July event at the White House was in 1801. Now, the White House celebration is one of the biggest in the country.
America’s Birthday Suit
About 64% of Americans own an American flag. About 62% own patriotic T-shirts or hats. Red, white, and blue clothing sales spike every June. Many people don’t know there’s an official Flag Code for proper flag etiquette.
Founding Fathers’ Feast
John Adams and his wife ate turtle soup, New England poached salmon, green peas, and boiled potatoes to celebrate July 4th. Thomas Jefferson enjoyed ice cream on Independence Day. George Washington doubled his troops’ rum rations to celebrate in 1778.
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Small Town, Big Celebration
Bristol, Rhode Island holds the oldest continuous 4th of July celebration in the U.S. Their first celebration was in 1785. The town’s population triples during their 3-week celebration. Their parade route is marked by a red, white, and blue center line.
Patriotic Tunes
“God Bless America” was originally written for a World War I musical. “America the Beautiful” was first a poem, inspired by a trip to Pikes Peak. “Yankee Doodle” was originally sung by British troops to mock Americans. Now it’s a beloved patriotic song.
Independence Day Around the World
Rwanda also celebrate their independence days on July 4th. Norway and Sweden celebrate American Independence Day because many of their citizens emigrated to the U.S. Denmark has a 4th of July celebration that’s the largest outside of America.
Celebration Injuries
About 11,000 Americans are injured by fireworks each year. Most injuries happen in the month around July 4th. Sparklers cause about 25% of fireworks injuries. Always follow safety guidelines when using fireworks!
Presidential Births
Calvin Coolidge is the only U.S. President born on July 4th. He was born in 1872 in Vermont. Coolidge was known as “Silent Cal” because he was a man of few words. While in office, he celebrated his birthday and the nation’s birthday together each year.
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