953 nut 59,890 #1 Posted July 4 Americans come together on July 4 to celebrate the nation’s birthday and Independence Day. On this day, most Americans enjoy grills in their backyards, at beaches, or in parks. Some partake in parades or marches and enjoy the fireworks that are often launched at dusk. We kick off the festivities with details, trivia, and anything else you need to know about Independence Day. Happy Fourth! 1) The first public 4th of July event at the White House took place in 1801. Thomas Jefferson was president, and, according to the White House Association, the day was filled with music, food and even horse racing. 2) Francis Hopkins designed the American flag. Or, more specifically, he claimed his did, but this claim has not been officially verified with evidence. 3) When the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, few colonists wanted complete independence from Great Britain. Those who did were viewed as radicals. 4) It was Dwight D. Eisenhower who added "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. 5) Federal regulations specify that an American flag can only be flown from sunrise to sunset…unless it is illuminated at night. 6) And technically, you're not supposed to wear American flags, either. The flag code states that "the flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." 7) You can always catch a ball game on the 4th of July. And this year, all 30 MLB teams will play on Independence Day. 8) The population of the U.S. was about 2.5 million in 1776. Compare that population with about 340 million Americans today. 9) The youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence was just 26 years old. It was Edward Rutledge, who is a Founding Father and former governor of South Carolina. 10) Fireworks are a huge business...to the tune of about $600 million in fireworks imports to the U.S. each year. 11) In the early years of the republic, Independence Day was commemorated with speeches, parades, and other festivities. These events gave rise to the federal political party system, with formalized venues and occasions for leaders and constituents to discuss issues. 12) The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first of the American Revolution. These confirmed the majority of the colonists' alienation from England and set the stage for the colonies' guerrilla warfare defense against the British. 13) The Seige of Yorktown ended military operations in the American Revolution. This joint France-America effort trapped a major British army on a peninsula at Yorktown, Virginia, forcing it to surrender. 14) The Safe and Sane 4th of July movement came about in the late 19th and early 20th century. It was a response to the heavy drinking and injuries that had risen along with the holiday traditions. 15) Americans spend close to $10 billion on 4th of July food......according to WalletHub. 16) The Star Spangled Banner became the national anthem in 1931. President Herbert Hoover signed the congressional resolution making it so. 17) About 50 million Americans travel more than 50 miles from home......during the holiday weekend, according to WalletHub data from 2023. That's a new record. 18) The oldest continuously running 4th of July parade is in Bristol, Rhode Island. It dates all the way back to 1785, according to the town's site. 19) But the longest one is in Alameda, California. According to the town's website, the route spans 3.3 miles. It takes folks about two hours to complete. 20) Americans consume about 150 million hot dogs per year....according to data from the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. 3 2 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MainelyWheelhorse 1,501 #5 Posted July 4 Happy Fourth of July!!! 1 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,212 #6 Posted July 4 And I've got a day away from my co-workers. They are all a bunch of 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
