Fireworks and Freedom: 🧨 Interesting Facts About America’s Birthday
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Why Do We Celebrate Independence Day?
Tomorrow is Independence Day! It’s one of my favorite holidays! Red, white and blue. Flags flying. Patriotism on full display.
Unfortunately, there are some who don’t understand the meaning of the holiday, so here are the basics…
Goodbye Great Britain
The Fourth of July holiday in America marks the day in 1776 when the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence. This document proclaimed the official separation of the 13 original colonies from Great Britain.
(Delaware proclaimed its separation in June, beating everyone else)
Since that day, July 4, 1776 has been considered America’s “birthday,” making Independence Day 2025, America’s 249th birthday. (And next year, the 250th)!
Fast Fact: Most people don’t realize that the Revolutionary War wasn’t won until 1783!
When Was The First Independence Day Celebration?
According to the Library of Congress, the residents of Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary of American independence (1777), and George Washington gave his soldiers double rations of rum on July 4, 1778 to celebrate.
But it wasn’t until after the War of 1812 that July 4th celebrations spread across the new nation.
On June 28, 1870, Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday. Today, the day continues to be celebrated with parades, fireworks shows and parties.
Fun Fact: The Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed on July 4, 1776. In fact, independence was formally declared on July 2, 1776, a date that John Adams believed would be the most memorable day in the history of America.
On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration, BUT it wasn’t signed until August 2, 1776.
Basic Facts About The Declaration Of Independence
Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence.
Of those, Pennsylvania had the most with 9, followed by 7 from Virginia and 5 from both Massachusetts and New Jersey.
The youngest signer was Thomas Lynch Jr. of Hopsewee Plantation in South Carolina. Another signer was Arthur Middleton of the Middleton Place outside Charleston.
There were 2.5 million people living in America in July 1776. The current population is about 342 million.
The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16, 1773, well before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
America’s Birthday: Fourth Of July Celebration Facts
The first known instance of Fourth of July fireworks was in Philadelphia in 1777 and George Washington gave his soldiers double rations of rum on July 4, 1778 to celebrate.
Back in 1778, when the delegates in Philadelphia debated how Americans should observe their newly declared independence, William Henry Drayton of Drayton Hall argued for the day to be one of celebration with “certain grand fireworks,” rather than one of “fasting and mourning” as another South Carolinian proposed.
According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans now spend more than $1 billion on fireworks each year.
And according to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council, Americans eat 150 million hotdogs on July Fourth. (That’s enough hotdogs to stretch from Washington to Los Angeles).
Coney Island, New York, hosts a famous, televised hotdog eating contest every year on July Fourth. (I can’t watch. Guh!)
Visit Boston and explore lots of historic Revolutionary War sites!
Wishing you a wonderful and safe Independence Day!
☛ In The News
Archaeologists Uncover Expansion Medieval Hospital
Artifacts Found Under Monastary’s Floors
☛ This Week’s Old Word
"Twattle" (verb) – To gossip or talk idly; chatter.
Example sentence:
While waiting on the porch of the old tavern, the ladies did little more than twattle about the comings and goings of the townsfolk.
Answer to Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: Congratulations to those who answered Delaware as the first state to declare independence. Go back and read my post on New Castle, Delaware’s Separation Day celebration if you want more information.
This Week’s Trivia Question: Give it a try!
PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP WITH MY FAVORITE RESOURCES:
— Best accommodation site: Booking.com
— Book day tours here: Viator.com
— Rent a car: DiscoverCars.com