The 4th of July is arguably the best holiday of the year. It’s summertime; full of sunshine, fireworks, pool parties with friends, and a whole lot of food. It’s not like Christmas or Easter that are only celebrated by some people (we still love you Santa). It’s a day that can be universally enjoyed by all Americans, united by our mutual love for the Stars and Stripes and hot dogs. But before this red, white, and beautiful day comes around again, make sure you know all the facts about this patriotic day so you can impress your drunk relatives at your annual family barbecue.
1. George Washington celebrated with his soldiers in 1778.
On the 4th of July, he issued his troops double rations of rum. We see you Mr. President, making your own Happy Hour during wartime.
2. Benjamin Franklin wanted our national bird to be a turkey after declaring independence.
You can figure out how electricity works from just a key and a kite, but you can’t think of a better animal to represent our country than a turkey? Come on, let’s not be lame like Tech here.
3. Over 150 million hot dogs are consumed during the holiday weekend.
This is enough to stretch from Los Angeles to DC more than 5 times. Honestly, a hot dog should just become our national mascot at this point.
4. The National Anthem was set to the tune of a British drinking song.
The song, “To Anacreon in Heaven”, was the official song for a gentlemen’s club in London, and consisted of lyrics praising wine. Way to keep it classy, USA.
5. It wasn’t an official holiday until almost 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Congress didn’t declare the 4th of July a national holiday until 1870, and it wasn’t until 1938 that they made it a paid holiday for federal employees. Even back then, those people were stingy AF.
6. But we might be celebrating independence on the wrong day.
John Adams (2nd president, but you should know that already) wrote in a letter to his wife that “July 2 will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary Festival”, after the Continental Congress voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee’s proposal for American independence. Maybe they thought the 2nd of July just didn’t have the same ring to it.
7. Furthermore, the Declaration of Independence wasn’t even signed on the 4th.
It didn’t get signed by most delegates until August 2nd, almost a full month later. I guess us Americans are slow to declare independence but quick to party.
8. Over $6.7 billion is spent a year on food for picnics, barbecues, and cookouts.
Okay, this obsession with hot dogs might be getting a little out of control.
9. Americans aren’t too good with fireworks.
We put on some great shows, don’t get me wrong, but over 11,000 people in a 30 month period ended up in the ER last year, with most of the carnage happening around July 4th. How can we successfully fight off the Brits but give ourselves third degree burns with Roman candles?
10. A town named Seward in Nebraska was named “America’s Official 4th of July City” by Congress in 1979.
Alright Nebraska, we’ll let you have this one. Your only claim to fame. (Just kidding, you make good corn on the cob for our picnics).
11. The 4th of July isn’t just for American independence.
Both Rwanda and the Philippines gained their independence on July 4th as well, Rwanda when Belgium separated them from Burundi in 1962, and the Philippines in 1946 from (guess who) good old Uncle Sam. Fireworks for everyone!
Whether or not we’re celebrating our independence 2 days late or a month early, and regardless of the embarrassing amount of food that we eat at neighborhood cookouts, the 4th of July is truly the best day of the year for having fun with friends, watching fireworks, eating your mom’s red, white, and blue cupcakes, and feeling happy and patriotic. And a special thank you to all of our troops who have fought and who continue to fight for the freedom and liberty that our nation celebrates.
