The 4th of July in the United States is also known as Independence Day. It is a federal holiday to celebrate July 4th, 1776, the day that the U.S. declared independence from Britain and adopted the Declaration of Independence. Celebrations on this day often include parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks, carnivals, and baseball games, and many families chose to celebrate their family reunions on this holiday as well. Celebrations on the 4th of July began
soon after in 1777 when Philadelphia hosted a parade, cannon salute, and fireworks. The Bristol Fourth of July Parade was first held in 1785 and is still being held each year today.
soon after in 1777 when Philadelphia hosted a parade, cannon salute, and fireworks. The Bristol Fourth of July Parade was first held in 1785 and is still being held each year today.
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Interesting Facts about the 4th of July
- The Declaration of Independence was originally adopted on July 2nd, 1776, but it was revised and the final version was made official two days later, on the 4th of July 1776.
- 56 men representing 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence.
- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both of whom signed the Declaration of Independence, later became United States Presidents. They also both died on July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing. They were the only two original signers of the Declaration of Independence to later become Presidents of the United States.
- James Monroe, a Founding Father but not the signer of the Declaration of Independence also served as a United States President. He died on July 4th, 1831.
- The only United States President to date who was born on the 4th of July was Calvin Coolidge. He was the 30th President and was born in 1872.
- The Philippines also celebrates the 4th of July, but to commemorate the day they achieved Philippine Independence in 1946.
- On Independence Day, approximately 155 million hot dogs are eaten in the United States. July 4th is considered to be the biggest hot dog holiday each year.
- The Liberty Bell is tapped 13 times on every July 4th. It cannot be rung for fear of cracking the historic bell. It has not been rung since 1846.
- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson pushed for the bald eagle to be the national bird, while Benjamin Franklin pushed for the turkey. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson won out.
- Of the 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, 8 were from Britain.
- Edward Rutledge was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence at 26 years old, and Benjamin Franklin was the oldest at 70 years old.
- It is estimated that approximately 14,000 professional fireworks displays are put
on each 4th of July in the United States.
- The 4th of July was declared a holiday for federal employees in 1870.
- It was 1938 before the 4th of July was declared a paid federal holiday.
- In 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, there were only 2.5 million people living in the U.S. Today it is more than 314 million people living in the United States.
- There are many minor and major league baseball games held on the 4th of July each year.
- American Independence is also celebrated in Denmark each year.
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