28 Fourth of July Facts That Will Change How You See Independence Day

Think you know everything about the Fourth of July? Think again! From surprising historical myths to quirky traditions, these 28 fun facts will change the way you view Independence Day.

Get ready to discover the fascinating stories behind this beloved holiday!

4th Of July Vectors by Vecteezy

 

18 Fun Facts About the Fourth of July

Independence Day Wasn’t Signed on July 4, 1776

A fun fact about the Fourth of July is that Independence Day was not signed on July 4, 1776. It was actually signed on August 2, 1776. Congress passed the Declaration on July 4, yet it needed more time to complete its official draft. The majority of delegates refused to sign until a full month passed.

 

George Washington Didn’t Sign the Declaration

George Washington was a leading figure during the American Revolution yet he did not sign the Declaration. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, he was stationed in New York City.

The news about the Declaration reached him on July 9, after it was already adopted, he made his troops read the document’s content. His failure to attend the signing was due to ongoing military duties rather than a lack of support for independence.

 

John Hancock Signed First, And the Biggest

John Hancock is well-known for his large signature on the Declaration of Independence. As President of the Continental Congress, he was the first to sign. Hancock wrote his name in very large letters to the extent that his name has ever since become a term for “signature” in American culture.

A popular fun fact is that he did it so King George III could read it without glasses. However, the official document was signed after July 4, not on that date.

 

The 50-Star U.S. Flag Was Designed By a Teenager

In 1958, a teenager named Bob Heft designed the 50-star U.S. flag as a project for his history class. When he created the flag the United States consisted of 48 states but Heft expected the country to gain Alaska and Hawaii.

He selected an outdated flag and removed stars to place them at the top of a blue background. His teacher gave him a B- but offered to change the grade if Heft could win official approval from the government. After his repeated attempts, President Eisenhower selected Heft’s design as official on July 4th, 1960.

Photo by Brett Sayles

 

George Washington Gave Soldiers Rum to Celebrate in 1778

In 1778, General Washington decided to celebrate Independence Day by increasing the rum ration for his army.

The event took place through the challenging Valley Forge winter months. Following his alliance with France, Washington wanted to raise his soldiers’ morale. Soldiers came together for a celebration with musket salutes and cheers for King Louis XVI. The rum was given out as part of Washington’s plan to keep his troops motivated and united during tough times.

 

Hot Dogs Are the Real Stars of July 4th

Americans celebrate Independence Day with an important tradition: eating hot dogs. A fun fact is that people consume 150 million hot dogs during the Fourth of July celebration.

This tradition started during Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which started in 1972 on Coney Island. During the event, competitors have ten minutes to eat as many hot dogs as they can. The contest has become a symbol of Independence Day and draws thousands of spectators every year.

Photo by Anete Lusina

 

Three Presidents Died on the Fourth of July

Three U.S. presidents died on July 4. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both passed away on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after Americans approved the Declaration of Independence. They were close friends and rivals, they even died on the same day within hourly intervals. The third U.S. president to die on July 4 James Monroe, the fifth president, on July 4, 1831.

President James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.

 

Only One U.S. President Was Born on July 4th

Only one U.S. president was born on July 4: Calvin Coolidge. He was born in Plymouth, Vermont, in 1872 and assumed office as the 30th president in 1923 when Warren G. Harding died. His birthday is celebrated alongside Independence Day, connecting him to this important date in American history.

 

The Declaration Was Once Stored at Fort Knox During WWII

During World War II, authorities transported the Declaration of Independence to Fort Knox for secure storage.

In 1941, the National Government sent the Declaration and other key documents to the Library of Congress at Fort Knox where the Secret Service watched over them. This move was meant to protect their safety amid concerns of potential threats to national security following the Pearl Harbor attack. Officials returned the document to public display at the National Archives in 1944.

 

Thomas Jefferson Used a Portable ‘Laptop’ to Draft the Declaration

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on a portable writing box which he called a “laptop”.

In 1776, he partnered with cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph to create a desk with spaces for ink, quills, and paper from mahogany wood. Jefferson used it for writing while traveling between Virginia and Philadelphia for years. The Smithsonian Institution shows the public the portable writing box today.

 

Fireworks Have Lit Up Independence Day Since 1777

Fireworks have been part of Independence Day celebrations since 1777 to honor the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Firework displays began as local events in Philadelphia and Bristol Rhode Island. As time passed, fireworks turned into a staple of July 4 festivities across America.

Photo by Candid Flaneur

 

The Macy’s Fireworks Show is the largest in the U.S.

New York City hosts the United States’ biggest fireworks event: The Macy’s Fireworks Show. This classic tradition since 1976, displays 60,000 fireworks and draws millions of visitors every year. The show uses many fireworks synchronized to music during its presentation.

Jeffrey Pang from Berkeley, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Americans Spend Over $1 Billion on Fireworks Every Year

Here is yet another fun fact about the 4th of July and fireworks: Each year people in the US spend more than $1 billion on fireworks. In fact, Americans now are buying more fireworks than ever before because they use them in private celebrations.

Despite official safety concerns and regulations, fireworks remain a popular way to celebrate Independence Day as they light up the night sky across the country on the Fourth of July.

An interesting fact is that most of the fireworks used to celebrate the Fourth of July in the United States are imported from China.

 

The Mysterious Back Side Note of the Original Declaration of Independence

The back of the original Declaration of Independence has a handwritten note that reads, “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776.”

This information was added after the document was signed. The document was usually rolled up for storage, which is why this note was placed on it for identification.

The idea of a secret map on the back, like in the movie National Treasure, is just a myth. The note explains the document’s history and how it was kept over time.

 

It Took Nearly a Century to Become a Federal Holiday

It took nearly a century for July 4 to become a federal holiday. In 1870, Congress first made it an unpaid federal holiday as part of a law recognizing several holidays. It wasn’t until 1938 that Congress made it a paid holiday for government workers. People had been celebrating with fireworks and parades since the late 1700s. Today, July 4 is a big national celebration.

 

The Liberty Bell Didn’t Actually Ring on July 4th

The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence. Although it’s often believed that it rang during the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, records show it didn’t actually ring on that day. It is believed the bell first rang on July 8, 1776, when the Declaration was read aloud in Philadelphia.

The tradition of ringing bells on July 4 started in 1963, with bells ringing 13 times at 2 PM Eastern Time to honor the 13 original colonies.

However, the Liberty Bell no longer rings because it was damaged. It cracked shortly after arriving in 1752 and was recast twice, but a major crack in 1846 stopped it from ringing. Today, the bell is only gently tapped on special occasions to preserve its role as a symbol of freedom and independence.

The original uploader was Kerrbenj at French Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons

 

A British Song Was Played at the 4th of July Celebration in 1783

On the 4th of July in 1783, a British song, “Yankee Doodle,” was played to celebrate the end of the American Revolutionary War. People gathered at Benjamin Franklin’s home near Paris to celebrate both independence and peace.

“Yankee Doodle” was originally written by a British officer to mock American soldiers. However, Americans later embraced the song and turned it into a patriotic anthem to celebrate their independence.

 

In 1801, the Fourth of July Was Celebrated with Horse Races

In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson hosted the first Independence Day celebration at the White House, which included horse races.

The north grounds of the White House were turned into a festival with parades, food, and drinks. Jefferson organized an event that included diplomats, citizens, and military officers. The White House began its Independence Day celebrations with this event.

 

10 More Surprising Facts About the Fourth of July

1. The smallest town with a July 4 parade is Bonanza, Oregon, with just 80 residents.
2. The U.S. population has grown from about 2.5 million since the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to over 332 million today.
3. The Philippines celebrated July 4 as its Independence Day until 1962.
4. Every July 4, about 10,000 people become new U.S. citizens.
5. The original copy of the Declaration of Independence is fading due to age and light exposure.
6. The largest U.S. fireworks show, in New York City, uses over 75,000 pounds of explosives.
7. The U.S. flag has been redesigned 27 times since its creation.
8. Spotify’s most-played song on July 4 is “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen.
9. Fireworks cause an estimated 12,000 injuries annually, mostly from misuse.
10. Americans purchase around 700 million pounds of chicken for the July 4 celebrations.