The Fourth of July is a big deal in the United States. It’s a federal holiday that celebrates the Declaration of Independence, which the Second Continental Congress approved on July 4, 1776. That date became the USA’s birthday. Every year, the country throws a huge party with fireworks, parades, barbecues, and more.
But before you light up the grill, let’s dive into some cool, lesser-known facts about this iconic holiday. Here are ten things you might not know about the Fourth of July:
Not Every Founding Father Liked July 4
Back during the American Revolution, the thirteen colonies decided to split from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. That’s when the Second Continental Congress voted for independence. After that vote, they focused on the Declaration of Independence, written by a group including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson.
The Declaration explained why Congress made this big decision. It took two days for Congress to agree on all the changes. So, the official adoption of the Declaration didn’t happen until July 4, 1776.
Even though we celebrate on July 4, John Adams thought the anniversary should be on July 2. That was the day America technically became independent. But, history went the other way. [1]
Tiny Population Back Then
On July 4, 1776, the U.S. had about 2.5 million people. Today, it’s over 334 million! That’s a huge jump. From 1960 to 2021 alone, the population grew by almost 84%, from around 180 million to over 331 million. [2]
Right from the start, it seemed like America was destined to become a world leader. Now, it’s a place where millions of immigrants call home.
A Long Wait for Holiday Status
Believe it or not, it took 94 years for the Fourth of July to become a federal holiday. In 1777, Philadelphia celebrated by closing Congress and having bonfires and fireworks. These celebrations became more common after the War of 1812.
As years passed, more and more people celebrated. Finally, in 1870, Congress made July 4 a federal public holiday. Then, in 1938, it became a paid holiday for federal employees. [3]
A Presidential Demise
President Zachary Taylor, the 12th president, died not long after a Fourth of July celebration. He was a war hero from the Mexican-American War, which helped him get elected.
On a very hot July 4 in Washington D.C., Taylor attended Independence Day events. He ate a lot of cherries and drank iced milk, then more water back at the White House. He got sick and died on July 9, 1850, after suffering from severe stomach issues and dehydration. [4]
America’s Founding Mother?
In 1776, as British forces chased George Washington’s army out of New Jersey, Congress packed up the Declaration of Independence and ran from Philadelphia to Baltimore. Later, when they heard Washington had won battles at Trenton and Princeton, they ordered a second printing of the Declaration with their names on it.
They hired Mary Katharine Goddard, a major journalist and publisher, for the job. Printing the Declaration was risky because the British saw it as treason. But Goddard did it anyway and included her own name on the document. So, she became known as America’s Founding Mother. [5]
Freedom for Some, Not All
The United States became independent, but not everyone was free on that day. Slavery was still a big issue, and it eventually led to the Civil War in 1861. Southern states wanted to keep slavery legal.
Slavery had started when a ship brought enslaved Africans to the country. By Independence Day, it was legal in all 13 colonies. The election of Abraham Lincoln, who opposed slavery, made Southern states leave the Union. After the Union won the Civil War, slavery was finally abolished in 1865. [6]
Philippines’ Independence Day
The United States isn’t the only country that celebrates independence on July 4. The Philippines also became independent on this day. From 1898 to 1946, the Philippines were under American control, first as a territory and then as a Commonwealth in 1935.
During World War II, Japan occupied the Philippines from 1941 to 1945. The Philippine government operated from exile, first in Australia and later in the United States.
After Japan was defeated, the U.S. granted the Philippines independence. So, on July 4, 1946, the Philippines became the Republic of the Philippines. [7]
Hot Dog Holiday
Americans eat a lot of hot dogs on July 4. The National Sausage and Hot Dog Council says about 150 million hot dogs are consumed on this holiday. One reason is Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which happens every July 4.
Nathan Handwerker, who dreamed of a better life, worked at a restaurant in Coney Island. He started his own hot dog shop and sold them for half the price of his former boss. On July 4, 1916, he created a hot dog eating contest to see who was the most American. An Irish immigrant won by eating 13 hot dogs in 12 minutes. [8]
Danes Love July 4 Too
American expats in Europe often gather to celebrate on July 4. But in Denmark, even ordinary people celebrate American independence.
Since 1912, Danes have been celebrating American independence to honor the U.S.’s acceptance of Danish immigrants and to strengthen the friendship between the two countries. The celebration, called Rebildfesten, takes place in Rebild National Park and is one of the biggest July 4 celebrations outside the United States. [9]
Presidential Deaths
Three American presidents died on July 4. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.
These deaths are a strange coincidence. It’s hard to explain how two Founding Fathers and former presidents died on the same day, the independence anniversary, and then a third president died on the same day five years later. [10]
So, as you celebrate this Fourth of July, remember these interesting facts. From surprising population numbers to international celebrations and strange presidential coincidences, there’s more to this holiday than just fireworks and barbecues.
What’s your favorite thing about the Fourth of July? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
