Happy 4th of July

July 4th is the United States National Day and most patriotic day of the year. But it wasn’t until 1938 that Independence Day was declared a federal paid holiday. 

Here are 15 more fun and quirky July 4th facts.

1. Declaration signing 

Only John Hancock actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. All the others signed later. 

2. Three Presidents Died on July 4th. 

• Thomas Jefferson – Jul 4, 1826 

• John Adams – July 4 1826 

• James Monroe – July 4, 1831 

Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence and both died on the same day within hours of each other. Weird. 

3. The original flag 

The stars on the original American flag were in a circle so all the Colonies would appear equal. 

4.  Born on the 4th of July 

President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4th, 1872, putting him forever into the history books. Tom Cruise starred in the movie Born on the Fourth of July; that really has nothing to do with Independence Day, but the title works for this post. His birthday is July 3rd. Hmm. 

5. Fireworks 

Each year Americans light about 200 million pounds of fireworks! And most of them are imported from China – $247,100,000 worth.  

6. American Flag 

65% of Americans own an American Flag. And you guessed, most are made in China. 

7. Could have been a Turkey instead of an Eagle 

Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a Turkey. He said the bald eagle is a bird of bad moral character, the turkey is a more respectable bird. 

8. Road Trip 

The First week of July is typically the busiest travel week of the year in the United States. Popular American Road Trips are The California Coast, Route 66, Black Hills of South Dakota, the Florida Keys, and many more! Americans love a road trip!   

9. Only two signers of the Declaration of Independence later served as President of the United States 

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who did much of the writing of the document, were the only two signers to go on to be President.  

10. Philippines celebrates July 4 after Independence from the United States 

Ironically, on July 4th, 1946, the Treaty of Manila was signed in the Philippines giving them independence from…The United States. 

11. The tune of the National Anthem is actually from an English drinking song 

While Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, the tune comes from an English drinking song called “Anacreon in Heaven.” 

12. Hot Diggidy Dog! 

The favorite food for the 4th of July is the Hot Dog. America consumes about 150 million hot dogs on this date. (poor little piggies) 

13. Movies and July 4th 

The biggest blockbuster movies of the year open on Independence Day weekend. But Will Smith is the king of the Independence Day openers with five out of the top 20 hits opening on this date in history. 

Some Notable July 4th Weekend Movie Openings.  

• Independence Day starring – Will Smith 

• Men in Black I & II – Will Smith 

• Hancock – Will Smith 

• Wild Wild West – Will Smith 

• Spiderman – Far From Home 

• Transformers and Transformers Dark of the Moon 

• Spiderman 2 

• War of the Worlds 

• Terminator 2 & 3 (Plus Terminator Genysis) 

• Armageddon 

14. July 2 

Congress officially declared its independence from Britain on July 2nd, 1776. the vote on Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for independence was nearly unanimous. John Adams assisted in the draft of the Declaration of Independence and felt that Independence Day should be celebrated on July 2nd. 

15. August 2nd 1776 

Although it is widely believed that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, Only John Hancock and Charles Thompson signed it on July 4. The rest of the 56 delegates from 13 colonies actually signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776, to make it official. 

It was exactly a month after its declaration (July 2, 1776) , on August 2, 1776, that it became official. 

Why did they choose July 4th? July 4th was the day it was officially adopted and it had a couple of signatures, so why not?