Today when we think of 4th of July, the first things that come to mind for many of us are fireworks, hot dogs, and wearing as much red, white, and blue as possible. But there are also some pretty amazing facts about Independence Day that you can impress your friends and family with at your holiday BBQ.
America’s 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, 1872.
2. 3 of America first 5 presidents died on July 4th: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. The second president, Adams, and the third, Jefferson, both died in 1826, the 50th anniversary.
3. The oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island; it began in 1785.
4. An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on July 4th.
5. The Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show in NYC is the largest in the country.
6. Fireworks were first used to celebrate the 4th of July in 1777. They were ignited over Philadelphia.
7. Americans will spend an estimated $6.8 billion on food for the July 4 holiday weekend in 2016.
8. To avoid cracking it, the Liberty Bell has not been rung since 1846. To mark the quintessential day, every fourth of July it is symbolically tapped 13 times.
9. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are responsible for the bald eagle as the national bird; Benjamin Franklin wanted it to be the turkey.
10. The Star Spangled Banner didn’t become the official national anthem of the United States until 1931.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend, PicCollagers! And if this post has gotten you in a patriotic mood, be sure to check out our newest sticker pack, featuring flags, fireworks, and much more!