Top Lists
Top 10 Things To Know About American Independence Day
We compiled, in this article, a list of the top 10 things to know about the American independence day, the Fourth of July.
We compiled, in this article, a list of the top 10 things to know about the American independence day, the Fourth of July. Are you bored on July 4th? Do you want to enjoy the American independence day with interesting facts you don’t know about the day? Here’s some pub trivia for you to enjoy.
The Fourth of July is not just another day for the majority of Americans. It is a significant day for the Americans. It falls on a Monday this year. It will be on a Tuesday next year. The Fourth of July is completely another animal to any self-respecting American.
It was on this day in 1776 that the thirteen brave American colonies formally united to form the United States of America. As a result, Americans all around the world celebrate this day by eating a lot of food and generally being merry.
As is customary, the Fourth of July is marked by backyard barbecues and a plethora of fireworks displays. You’d be excused if you didn’t know everything about America’s Independence Day, which has 246 years of history and tradition behind it.
Here are the top 10 things to know about the American independence day, ranging from the historical narrative behind the writing of the Declaration of Independence to some startling hot dog numbers.
READ ALSO:
Top 10 Things To Know About American Independence Day
1. Independence Day Declaration Wasn’t Signed July 4th
Although it makes for a memorable painting, the classic image of the Founding Fathers and Continental Congress huddled together, delivering the first draft of the Declaration of Independence for signing on July 4, 1776, isn’t exactly accurate. “No comparable scenario, with all the delegates present, ever transpired at Philadelphia,” wrote renowned historian David McCullough.
The Declaration of Independence was not signed on July 4th—that was just the day the declaration was properly dated, finished, and adopted by the Continental Congress, which had formally voted for independence on July 2nd (the day John Adams thought Americans should celebrate).
2. Massachusetts was The First State to Declare July 4th a Holiday.
On July 3, 1781, Massachusetts became the first state to recognize the Fourth of July as an official holiday. New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were the first four federal holidays established by Congress on June 28, 1870 [PDF]. This declared certain days to be federal employees’ vacation days.
There was, however, a distinction. The Fourth of July was exclusively observed: “inside the District of Columbia.” The break was extended to all government employees after years of new legislation.
3. The shortest Fourth of July parade is in Aptos, California
In Aptos, California, the Fourth of July parade is just over half a mile long. This quick display of patriotism spans two city blocks and is only.6 miles long, has antique cars, adorned trucks, and plenty of walkers. Following that, there will be a Party in the Park with live music, food, and games.
4. There are around 15,000 Independence Day fireworks celebrations every year
According to a 2017 prediction from the American Pyrotechnics Association, roughly 15,000 fireworks shows are held during the Fourth of July holiday (even if some aren’t on July 4).
Though prices vary, most small towns spend between $8000 and $15,000 on a fireworks display, with larger communities spending millions, such as the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, which costs over $2 million on average.
5. The oldest annual Fourth of July celebration is held in Bristol, Rhode Island
One custom began eighty-five years before the government recognized the Fourth of July as a federal holiday, and it continues to this day. The town of Bristol, Rhode Island, has been celebrating Independence Day since 1785 and is known as “America’s Oldest Fourth of July Celebration.”
The celebrations began barely two years after the Revolutionary War ended, and the 237th anniversary will be in 2022. More so, the 4th of July Parade in Rhode Island is the country’s oldest continuous Independence Day celebration. Since 1785, they’ve been making a big deal out of it in the most American way possible: by firing cannons.
6. Americans Consume Over 155 million Hot Dogs On Fourth Of July
On July 4th, over 150 million hot dogs are consumed in the United States. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, many dogs would extend more than five times from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles.
Joey Chestnut ate 74 of those franks in 2018, beating his own world record. Chestnut won the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition for the eleventh year in a row that year. In 2019, he triumphed once more, devouring 71 wieners.
7. Three presidents have died, and one was born, on the Fourth of July.
You’re certainly aware that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
They aren’t the only presidents to have died on July 4th; the nation’s fifth president, James Monroe, died just a few years later on July 4, 1831.
Though it may appear that the celebration has it out for former presidents, there was one future president born on July 4th. Calvin Coolidge, the country’s 30th Commander-in-Chief, was born on July 4, 1872.
8. The Designer of the 50-Star Flag Lived in Lancaster, Ohio
As Alaska and Hawaii approached statehood in 1958, a history teacher assigned a class project to redesign the national flag.
Robert G. Heft, then 16 years old, created a new flag out of the previous 48-star flag plus $2.87 worth of blue cloth and white iron-on material. His design received a B-minus, which he contested by presenting it to President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington, D.C. for consideration.
Heft was one of the hundreds who submitted flag designs, but he was the only one who actually stitched one together and shipped it to Washington, D.C., according to his obituary.
Heft’s grade was appropriately changed to an A after the flag was chosen. In 1960, his design was adopted as the official flag.
9. Only Two Men Signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776
Only two individuals, Charles Thompson and the infamous John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Over the next month, the remaining 54 delegates signed.
10. $1 Billion Worth Is Spent On Fireworks Each Year
The American Pyrotechnics Association estimates that Americans spend over $1 billion on pyrotechnics each year. Only 10% of firework shows are set off professionally, which accounts for the projected 12,900 emergency department visits due to fireworks across the country.
According to Fortune Magazine, men accounted for over 70% of the injuries that occurred between June and July.
Other Interesting Facts About American Independence Day
- John Adams believed that American independence should be celebrated on July 2, as that’s the actual day the Continental Congress voted for independence in 1776. Annoyed that Independence Day wasn’t celebrated on July 2, Adams reportedly turned down invitations to July 4 celebrations throughout his life.
- . President Zachary Taylor died in 1850 after eating spoiled fruit at a July 4 celebration.
- The famed Macy’s fireworks show in New York City uses more than 75,000 fireworks shells and costs about $6 million.
- Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is held annually on July 4. In 2018, champion Joey Chestnut ate 74 hot dogs with buns in just 10 minutes.
- Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1870.
- In 1778, George Washington gave his soldiers a double ration of rum to celebrate the July 4 holiday.
- Every July 4, descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence tap the Liberty Bell 13 times in honour of the original 13 colonies.
- Eating salmon is a July 4 tradition in parts of New England.
- Small towns in the U.S. typically spend between $8,000 and $15,000 on their fireworks displays.
- With many fireworks shows cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, the American Pyrotechnics Association is asking for financial help from Congress to keep family-run fireworks businesses afloat.
- Starting in 1818, new stars and stripes were added to the American flag each July 4 to make the creation of new states.
- The U.S. Flag Code offers guidelines for flying the flag on July 4 and every day.
- John Hancock has the largest signature on the Declaration of Independence.
- The first July 4 celebration took place at the White House in 1801, hosted by Thomas Jefferson.
- One World Trade Center in New York is 1,776 feet tall to mark the year the U.S. declared its independence from Britain.