Photo: Karsun Designs/FlickrIt’s been over 240 years since the Declaration of Independence was ratified and signed and although we’re patriotic all year round, today is the day to celebrate our country with grilling and fireworks.
In the spirit of all things American, here’s some interesting trivia you can quiz family and friends on during this national holiday.
- Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1870.
- Only two Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The majority signed their signatures on Aug. 2, 1776.
- John Adams wanted to celebrate Independence Day on July 2, the day Congress voted for independence.
- America’s 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, 1872.
- The oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the U.S. is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island, which began in 1785.
- In 1884, miners blew up the post office in Swan City, Colorado, because it wasn’t supplied with fireworks.
- Americans spend around $167.5 million on watermelon for the Fourth of July.
- An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on July 4.
Graphic: History.com
