The Fourth of July is packed with backyard barbecues and plenty of fireworks. With 244 years of tradition behind it, you'd be forgiven if you didn't know quite everything about America’s Independence Day. From the true story behind the signing of the Declaration of Independence to some staggering hot dog statistics, here are 10 things you might not know about the Fourth of July.
1. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WASN'T SIGNED ON JULY 4 (OR IN JULY AT ALL).
It's just the day the document was formally dated, finalized, and adopted by the Continental Congress, which had officially voted for independence on July 2 (the day John Adams thought we celebrate). John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed early printed copies of the Declaration to be given to military officers and various political committees, but the bulk of the other 54 men signed an official engrossed (finalized and in larger print) copy on August 2, with others following at a later date. Hancock (boldly)signed his name again on the updated version.
2. THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS WEREN'T MUCH DIFFERENT THAN TODAY'S.
ndependence Day celebrations began to look a bit more familiar the following year, as the July 18, 1777 issue of the Virginia Gazette describes the July 4 celebration in Philadelphia:
"The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated. Every thing was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal."
3. EATING SALMON ON THE FOURTH OF JULY IS A TRADITION IN NEW ENGLAND.
The tradition of eating salmon on the Fourth of July essentially began in New England as a coincidence. During the middle of the summer, salmon was abundant in rivers throughout the region, so it was a common sight on tables at the time.
4. MASSACHUSETTS WAS THE FIRST STATE TO RECOGNIZE THE FOURTH OF JULY.
Massachusetts recognized the Fourth of July as an official holiday on July 3, 1781, making it thefirst stateto do so.
5. THE OLDEST ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION IS HELD IN BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND.
Billed as "America's Oldest Fourth of July Celebration," the town of Bristol, Rhode Island, has been doing Independence Day right since 1785.
6. THE SHORTEST FOURTH OF JULY PARADE IS IN APTOS, CALIFORNIA.
It's just a hair over half a mile long. Taking up two city blocks, and measuring just .6 miles, this brief bit of patriotism features antique cars, decorated trucks, and plenty of walkers.
7. THERE ARE AROUND 15,000 INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS CELEBRATIONS EVERY YEAR.
This year might be a bit different, but most small towns spend anywhere from $8000–$15,000 for a fireworks display, with larger cities going into the millions.
8. AMERICANS EAT AN OBSCENE AMOUNT OF HOT DOGS ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.
Americans consume about 150 million hot dogs while celebrating Independence Day.
9. AMERICANS ALSO SPEND BILLIONS ON FOOD TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY.
We spend around $6.7 billion on tasty treats to celebrate the Fourth of July. This included food and other cookout expenses, averaging out to about $73 per person participating in a barbecue, outdoor cookout, or picnic.
10. THREE PRESIDENTS HAVE DIED, AND ONE WAS BORN, ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.
You probably know that both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826—50 years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. They're not the only presidents to have died on the Fourth, though;James Monroe—the nation's fifth president—died just a few years later on July 4, 1831.
Source: Mental Floss