facts about fourth of july There are some very interesting facts surrounding the Fourth of July in the US

When families venture out this Fourth of July to gather at picnic tables in local parks, barbecue on grills and wait for the fireworks to start, consider these interesting and strange facts surrounding the Independence Day holiday.

  • The Second Continental Congress actually approved a resolution of independence from Great Britain on July 2, not the fourth.
  • The first official Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia, on July 8.
  • The signing of the Declaration of Independence started on July 4, 1776, but most historians believe it was actually completed a month later.
  • The British didn't hear of America's declaration until Aug. 30.
  • John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the only signers of the Declaration of Independence to later serve as presidents of the United States.
  • They both died on the same day.
  • That day was July 4, 1826.
  • As Adams was dying, he apparently claimed that at least "Jefferson survives." But Jefferson died earlier that day at his estate in Monticello.
  • Because of this coincidence, people believed the creation of the United States was a sign of divine inspiration.
  • James Monroe, recognized as one of the Founding Fathers of this nation, but who did not sign the declaration, would later become the fifth president of the United States.
  • He died on July 4, 1831.
  • President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872.
  • To celebrate July 4 in 1778, while fighting for our Independence, General George Washington marked the day by providing a double ration of rum for his troops.
  • The Declaration of Independence was signed two and half years after the Boston Tea Party.
  • It wasn't until 1938 that Congress officially made Independence Day a paid holiday for federal employees.
  • At large military bases across the US, on July 4, a gun is fired for each state as a "salute to the union."
  • The Philippines also celebrates July 4 as its Republic Day in honor of its independence from the United States.
  • Our second president, John Adams, was incredibly prescient when he said Independence Day "will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival…with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
  • Unfortunately, he was talking about July 2. Adams refused to acknowledge July 4th as Independence Day. He steadfastly claimed it should be celebrated on July 2 when Congress made its historic resolution.

fourth of July fireworks Fourth of July fireworks

Parks are the place to be on the Fourth of July

What will Americans do for the holiday:

  • 63% will watch a fireworks display.
  • 26% will shoot off their own fireworks (illegal in four states).
  • 32% will watch a Fourth of July parade.
  • 76% will hang out with family.
  • 80% will go to a cookout.
  • As you sit on your picnic table and get ready to eat a Fourth of July hot dog, you will be comforted to know that Americans will eat about 155 million of these tasty traditional treats with you on this day. That's according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.
  • Of course, you will need to drink something to wash down those dogs. Beer is one popular choice. The Nielsen Company estimates that in 2008 during the Fourth of July holidays, 24 million cases of beer were sold.
  • Caesar Salad was reportedly invented on this day when Italian immigrant Cesare Cardini had to come up with a new concoction after his restaurant ran out of ingredients on a busy Fourth of July.
  • Looking for a fireworks display? According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, there will be 14,000 professionally managed fireworks displays on the Fourth.
  • In New York City, Macy's conducts the largest fireworks display in the country with more than 40,000 shells fired.
  • But the town of Bristol, RI, holds the record for holding the most continuous Fourth of July parades every year. They started in 1785.

However you celebrate this incredible event, be sure to stay safe. There are quite a few fireworks and traffic accidents on this day as well.

July is also the start of Park and Recreation Month as declared by the National Recreation and Park Association.

What better way to celebrate the birth of America than by organizing a family get-together at a park, while holding a barbecue cooked on a park grill and served on a picnic table, all provided by your local government.

Then while you enjoy a rousing display of fireworks organized by cities large and small, think about the courage of your fellow citizens nearly 250 years ago and how their efforts resulted in this amazing celebration of our great nation.

Give or take a day or two.

picnic tables at parks Traditionally the Fourth of July is the time for families to get out of the house and hang out at the park, cooking on park grills, dining on picnic tables and having fun outdoors in public spaces provided by local municipalities