Fireworks. BBQ. Picnics. Nothing quite screams 'Murica like the Fourth of July. While this holiday is one of the most popular in the United States, there's a lot most people don't know about the celebration and its history. Are you a real patriot? Read on to learn the top 10 things most people don't know about the Fourth of July.
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It's a pretty common misconception that the Fourth of July celebrates the original Thirteen Colonies declaring their independence from the British Empire. After all, this holiday is officially listed as Independence Day. But the original British North American colonies didn't actually declare independence on July 4, 1776. That took place a little bit earlier, on July 2, 1776, with the Lee Resolution.
The engrossed (final) version of the Declaration likely wasn't signed in July of 1776 at all. Many historians agree that the signing of the definitive version of this document happened on August 2 of that same year.
What was agreed upon on July 4 was the final wording of the Declaration.
The United States officially has 10 federal holidays; the Fourth of July is one of them. Congress made that happen on June 28, 1870, nearly a hundred years after the War of Independence and just a few years after the American Civil War.
Today, Independence Day is one of the most beloved holidays for U.S. citizens. According to a Gallup poll, up to 78% of Americans participated in the celebrations in some form.
Most people think "fireworks" when they think of this holiday and for good reason: Americans spend over $1 billion on fireworks to really liven up the festivities, according to Fortune.com.
The U.S. imports many products from China, and Independence Day fireworks are no exception. Approximately 99% of consumer fireworks for the patriotic holiday come from China.
There just couldn't be a proper Fourth of July picnic without hamburgers. Americans spent roughly $804 million on beef around the Fourth of July in 2016 alone.
Unfortunately, more pets go missing around this time of the year than any other. In fact, the ASPCA estimates that nearly 20% of pets run off from loud noises, fireworks, and thunderstorms. If you have a lovable fur baby in your home, make sure they're in a safe, secure location where they can't run off or get hurt!
Did you know that Calvin Coolidge is the only U.S. president to be born on July 4? It's true! The 30th President of the United States was born on this day in 1872. Other notable Americans born on this day include Post Malone and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
