July 4th – American Independence Day – holds a special place in the heart of all Americans. It marks the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and a day packed with celebrations full of barbeques, picnics, parades, and fireworks. It represents the day when the 13 American colonies separated from the British monarchy and declared themselves independent. This year, July 4th falls on a Saturday and America will be 241 years old. In its relatively short history, America is the most developed country and owns nearly 24% of the world’s GDP.
Let’s dive into some more facts about this flag-waving holiday that all Americans love to celebrate!
Happy 2nd of August!
The American Revolution happened in April of 1775. The first draft of the declaration was written on July 2nd of the following year when Congress voted for independence; the Declaration was signed the following August. It was on July 4, 1776, when the final wording of the Declaration was approved by the Continental Congress. That said, the official signing happened on August 2, 1776. John Adams, second president of the USA and one of the founding fathers, wanted the official day to be July 2nd which would be the date that the Declaration was approved; however, July 4th is the documented date on the original Declaration.
Recognition Took Quite a While
Being that new and that young a country, a lot was happening and it took nearly a century before July 4th was deemed as a federal holiday. In 1781, it was first recognized as a state holiday by Massachusetts. In June of 1870, it was recognized as a federal holiday.
Twist of Fate
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are two of the founding fathers. John Adams became the second president and Jefferson became his vice-president from 1797- 1801, and later became the 3rd president of the USA. In a twist of fate, both these men died on July 4, 1826. What is even more bizarre, they died only hours apart; Adams was 90 and Jefferson, 83.
Consumption Statistics
Celebrations are massive on this day across the USA and as expected, food and drink consumption are also massive. It’s estimated that Americans spend $92 million on potato chips, $140 $167.5 million on watermelon, and $341.4 million on beer during this day. We won’t even get into the hotdogs.
Flag Etiquette
The USA has a flag code which is a guideline on how the American flag should be used and treated, and how citizens need to behave when near the US flag. For instance, with other flags in a procession, the American flag should be to the right of other flags. If in a line, it should be in the center. Also, no other flag should be placed above the American flag when in America. They need to be on the same level, to the right of the American flag.
If you have to replace a worn-out flag, you need to dispose of an old one in a dignified manner; meaning you don’t just throw it away. You can leave your old flag at certain local communities like the American Legions to handle it. When buying a new one, it’s often recommended to thoroughly browse American flags on an online website to get the right size and material that you need depending on your location and weather conditions it would be facing. Always opt for flags made of heavy-duty nylon and polyester to make sure that it can withstand different weather conditions, while still being light enough to fly even in the slightest breeze. Cotton ones are more recommended for indoor use, or short outdoor use. Also, make sure that if you are displaying your flag, say on your porch, that it is bigger than your state flag, according to the flag code of the USA.
Fireworks Consumption
The evening fireworks of Independence Day complete the celebrations. It’s the main attraction of the day with families and friends flocking to parks and elsewhere to witness these spectacular fireworks. There are around 150,000 firework events across the states on this special day. Big cities spend millions on the fireworks, and while smaller cities and towns might not have the millions for celebrations, they will spend on average anywhere between $8,000 to $15,000. Fireworks were also used back in the day and the tradition continues today.
More than just a holiday, July 4th brings all Americans together, regardless of their age, gender, or religious beliefs to celebrate the country’s declaration of independence. It’s a day to enjoy from start to end, but also a day to reflect on what makes America so great.