We found 15 cool facts about the 4th of July that we thought you might like to know!
1.Three U.S. Presidents have died on the 4th of July –
Thomas Jefferson – 1826
John Adams – 1826
James Monroe – 1831
Jefferson and Adams died within hours of each other. Jefferson died five hours before Adams. Adams’ last words were “Jefferson still survives”, not knowing his bitter rival preceded him in death.
2.The Liberty Bell hasn’t rung since 1846.
“US History notes that every year on July 4, the Liberty Bell is symbolically tapped 13 times by children who are descendants of Declaration signers, honoring the original 13 states. Unfortunately, the bell cannot be rung, as it was deemed too fragile after a crack appeared on George Washington’s birthday in 1846, which is the last time it was rung.”
3. 1777 was the first year fireworks were used to celebrate the nation’s birth.
4.The 4th of July wasn’t a Federal Holiday until 1870. It finally became a paid holiday in 1941.
5.Eating salmon on the 4th of July is a long-held tradition in New England.
6.Calvin Coolidge, the 30th US President, was born on July 4, 1872.
7.There are fifty-six signatures on the Declaration of Independence.
8.The American flag became the nation’s official flag on June 14, 1777.
9.Old Glory has been modified 26 times since the first flag was adopted.
10.The immensely talented John Philip Sousa wrote 135 marches from the late 19th, to early 20th century. Some of the most famous include The Washington Post, The Stars and Stripes Forever, and Semper Fidelis, which has become the official march of the US Marines.
While on holiday overseas, he and his wife heard about the death of a good friend, prompting their early return. He wrote about his experience while aboard the S.S. Teutonic stating,
“Suddenly, I began to sense a rhythmic beat of a band playing within my brain.
“Throughout the whole tense voyage, that imaginary band continued to unfold the same themes, echoing and re-echoing the most distinct melody.
“I did not transfer a note of that music to paper while I was on the steamer, but when we reached the shore, I set down the measures that my brain-band had been playing for me, and not a note of it has ever changed.”
11. In 1776, America’s population was 2.5 million.
12. The names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were withheld from the public for over 6 months, over fear of arrest for treason.
13.The Statue of Liberty holds a book upon which is written “July 4, 1776”.
14. July 4, 1884: The Statue of Liberty was formally presented to the U.S. by France.
15. August 2, 1776 was the date when most signed the Declaration of Independence.
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