July 4th Facts You Might Not Know

If you were born or lived in America you will surely celebrate the 4th of July in all its glory. It’s America’s Independence Day, not sure what it means? Let’s have a little history check right here. 

 

 

All the way back on July 4th, 1776, the United States of America was formed with 50 states. Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence and the rest is history. But the historic meaning of the holiday is one freedom and independence. It is a special time for America to celebrate how fortunate they are to live in “the land of the free” just what the anthem says. 

But during these unprecedented times, we will surely have to think of an alternative on how to celebrate. But let us all check and learn some fun facts about the 4th of July. 

• Number one fact is that the Declaration of Independence was neither signed nor finalized on the 4th of July nor any time in July. The draft was created and dated on that day by our founding fathers. However, it was not finalized and signed until the 2nd of August 1776. 

• Massachusetts was the first state to recognize the 4th of July as an official holiday. 

• The designer of the 50-star flag lived in Lancaster, Ohio. 

 

 

• The oldest annual fourth of July celebration is held in Bristol, Rhode Island. 

• Something is written on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Not a treasure map but using invisible ink, “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776” was written upside down. 

• There are an estimated 15,000 Independence Day fireworks displays occurring for the 4th of July holiday. 

• The Declaration of Independence was written on a laptop. Okay, maybe not on the modern digital laptop, but still it was written on a writing desk that could fit over one’s lap and it was referred to at the time as “laptop”.

• Bizarre 50th Anniversary. On the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, 82, and John Adams, 90, both died on 4th July 1826, within just 5 hours of each other. 

• Americans consume about 150 million hotdogs while celebrating the 4th of July. Some parts of America have hotdog eating contests too. 

 

• Eating salmon on the fourth of July is a tradition in New England. It started as a coincidence because, during the middle of summer, salmon was abundant in rivers all throughout the region. 

For the past centuries, we have celebrated the Fourth of July with barbecues and fireworks. It may not be the same this year, no fireworks, no parades, and no hotdog contest. But we can still celebrate with intimate family bbq at the backyard.