12 Fun Facts About the Fourth of July
With July Fourth officially upon us, we decided to look back at the holiday’s history. However, instead of the normal history of our great country, we researched some of the weirdest and coolest facts of Independence Day. Without further ado, enjoy 12 fun facts about the Fourth of July:
1. Technically, Independence Day is July 2nd
The Thirteen Colonies legally separated from Great Britain on July 2nd, 1776 but Congress approved it two days later on July 4th (Wikipedia).
2. Actually, it may be August 2nd
There’s disagreement over the actual date Congress signed the Declaration of Independence as many historians believe it was signed on August 2nd (Wikipedia).
3. Future Presidents’ Death Date
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the only two signers of the Declaration of Independents who went on to become Presidents and both died on the 50-year anniversary of the Declaration, July 4th, 1826 (Wikipedia).
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4. The Festivities Precedent
On the first anniversary of July 4th, Philadelphia celebrated with toasts, speeches, music, prayers and, you guessed it, fireworks (Wikipedia).
5. Massachusetts Holiday
The first state legislature to officially acknowledge July 4th as a national holiday was Massachusetts in 1781 (Wikipedia).
6. Pay or No Pay?
Independence Day has been a paid federal holiday since 1938, it was an unpaid holiday from 1870-1938. Thanks, Congress (Wikipedia)!
7. Salute to the Union
Every Fourth of July, all military bases in America have a Salute to the Union where a gun is fired at noon for each state in our country (Wikipedia).
8. New York Does it Best
In 2009, there were more than 22 tons of pyrotechnics lit off in New York City which was a nationwide record (Wikipedia).
9. Rhode Island Tradition
The Bristol Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island is the longest-running July 4th celebration in America (Wikipedia).
10. The 30th = The 4th
The 30th President of the United States of America, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4th, 1872 (List25.com).
11. Age Difference
Ages of the signers of the Declaration of Independence ranged from 27 (Thomas Lynch Jr.) to 70 (Benjamin Franklin) (List25.com).
12. No 4th Without China
87.5% of American flags and 97% of imported fireworks come from China (List25.com).
Have a great Fourth of July, Proprietors!
