Authors: Megan and Amanda Boccardi
The 4th of July is a holiday many people look forward to each year. It is in the summer which means people are out barbecuing, hanging out with family and friends, and celebrating the freedoms we have that we can contribute to our founders, and our military members who have fought and died for all of our everyday freedoms in multiple wars. That all being said- we as Americans take pride in being Americans and spend the day on the 4th of July observing our history, our present, and our future in this wonderful country we all call home. Two years ago Juan Castillo posted an article on The List 25 stating some fun facts about our Independence Day which I found interesting and entertaining. Read these fun facts below- they apparently are going to make you want to celebrate even more.
Fun Fact #25- According to author Kenneth C. Davis, July 2nd is the real day of Independence, but it's celebrated on the fourth because that's when congress accepted Jefferson's declaration.
Fun Fact #24- Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a "laptop", which was a writing desk that could fit on one's lap.
Fun Fact #23- Thomas Jefferson changed the wording of the Declaration of Independence from "the pursuit of property" to "the pursuit of happiness".
Fun Fact #22- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4th, 1826.
Fun Fact #21- Only two men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776- John Hancock and Charles Thompson.
Fun Fact #20- Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence was lost, and the one eventually signed is the "engrossed" document.
Fun Fact #19- The printed version of the Declaration was called the Dunlap Broadside; 200 were made but only 27 are accounted for.
Fun Fact #18- Congress declared July 4th as an official holiday in 1870 as part of a bill to officially recognize other holidays- Christmas being one of them.
Fun Fact #17- The Declaration of Independence was a justification for a revolt against the British which included a list of charges against the British King.
Fun Fact #16- Several counties have used the Declaration of Independence as a beacon in their own struggles for freedom. These countries include France, Greece, Poland, Russia, and many countries in South America.
Fun Fact #15- "Yankee Doodle", a popular American patriotic song, was originally sung prior to the Revolution by British military officers in mockery of the unorganized and buckskin-wearing "Yankees".
Fun Fact #14- The "Star Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key and was originally a poem stemming from his observations in 1814 concerning the British attack on Baltimore's Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It was later put to music, though not decreed the official national anthem until 1931.
Fun Fact #13- Including John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (mentioned earlier), a total of three US presidents have died on July 4th. James Monroe is the third president to share this fate.
Fun Fact #12- Conversely, America's 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4th, 1872.
Fun Fact #11- In 1776, about 2.5 million people lived in the United States versus 311.7 million people in 2011.
Fun Fact #10- The average age of those who signed the Declaration of Independence was 45. The youngest at age 27, was Thomas Lynch Jr. of South Carolina. The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania at age 70. Thomas Jefferson was 33.
Fun Fact #9- One out of eight signers were educated at Harvard (7 total).
Fun Fact #8- 87.5% (2.8 million) of imported U.S. flags are from China.
Fun Fact #7- 97% ($190.7 million worth) of imported fireworks are from China.
Fun Fact #6- An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on July 4th.
Fun Fact #5- Both the Philippines and Rwanda celebrate July 4th as a day of liberation. In Southeast Asia, it is known as "Republic Day", and Rwandans celebrate "Liberation Day".
Fun Fact #4- The White House held its first 4th of July party in 1801.
Fun Fact #3- The tune of the National Anthem was originally used by an English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven.
Fun Fact #2- In 1954, the words 'under God' were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fun Fact #1- The oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island; it began in 1785.
So there ya go, some fun facts about this wonderful holiday. Enjoy yourselves, be safe, and play with fireworks responsibly. Do not forget what this holiday is really about, and appreciate the freedoms and privileges we have as Americans. Happy Independence Day!
