Happy birthday, America! On July 4, we recognize America’s Independence Day. Here are a few fun facts to help you and your family celebrate.
- The Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence on July 2nd, 1776 – not July 4th. It ratified the text of the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth.
- There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.
- Most of the signatures weren’t added to the Declaration until August 2nd, 1776.
- The youngest signer of the Declaration of independence was Edward Rutledge of South Carolina. He was 26 at the time.
- The oldest signer was Ben Franklin of Pennsylvania, who was 70.
- Two signers of the Declaration, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (both of whom were later President), died on July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.
- Independence Day wasn’t made a federal holiday until June 28, 1870.
- In 1777, fireworks were set off in Philadelphia to celebrate America’s first birthday. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, 2021 firework revenues topped $2.5 billion throughout the year, and have doubled since 2019.
- As new states are admitted to the union, their representative stars are added to the flag on July 4th.
- Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, was born on July 4, 1872.
- According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, Americans will enjoy 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day. That’s enough to stretch from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. more than 5 times!
- Every July 4th, descendants of the original Declaration signers tap on the liberty bell 13 times in recognition of the 13 original colonies.
- The first public readings of the Declaration of Independence were held on July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia’s Independence Square, accompanied by bell ringing and band music.
- In July of 1776, there were an estimated 2.5 million people living in our newly independent nation. Now, in 2022, there are over 332 million.
- This year, 2022, will be America’s 246th birthday.
WRITER: Emily Schoenfelder, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Illinois Extension
***Courtesy of the University of Illinois Extension***
