Most of us know why we celebrate Independence Day. We were all taught about our Founding Fathers, the Revolutionary War, and the subsequent Declaration of Independence at some point during our schooling, but did you know these fun facts about the 4th of July?
– The final draft of the Declaration of Independence was penned on July 2, 1776, but it took the Founding Fathers two days to read it over and approve it.
– John Adams firmly believed that the correct date was July 2, 1776, and as such, refused to speak or appear at any Independence Day celebrations that were held on July 4th.
– Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826 while President James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.
– President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4,1872.
– In 1870, the 4th of July was declared a federal holiday, but it wasn’t until 1938 that it became a paid federal holiday.
– A high school student named Robert G. Heft created the modern American flag for a class project. His teacher deemed it uncreative and gave him a “B-” grade. Heft sent his flag to President Eisenhower, who rather liked it, and in 1960 it was adopted as the U.S. flag. Needless to say, the teacher changed Heft’s grade to an A for the project.
– Americans consume about 155 million hot dogs on Independence Day alone; it is the biggest hot dog holiday of the year.
– John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are responsible for the bald eagle as the national bird; Benjamin Franklin wanted it to be the turkey.
– The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) estimates that more than 14,000 professional firework displays light up the skies in the United States each 4th of July.
– To avoid cracking it, the Liberty Bell has not been rung since 1846. To mark the quintessential day, every 4th of July it is symbolically tapped 13 times.
In all sincerity, from the Mountz Family to our loyal customers, we wish you a safe and wonderful 4th of July, celebrating all of the freedoms we hold dear here in the United States of America.
Daniel Andeel
Vice President of Sales
