Independence Day: 5 facts about July 4th, the most patriotic of American holidays
Five things you may not have known about 4 July
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fire up the grill and gas up the boat, 4 July is nearly upon us.
Independence Day is the most patriotic of American holidays, a celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The intervening 239 years have eroded the novelty of independence, but not the celebration of freedom in the US. Most Americans have the day off from work and many use that day off to justify a vacation.
But Independence Day was not always cook outs and lake days, and it was not always known as Independence Day. Check out these five facts about 4 July.
- The first Independence Day celebrations took place in 1777 in Bristol, Rhode Island and Philadelphia. The Bristol celebration was marked by a 13-gun salute in the morning and at nightfall. The Philadelphia commemoration was slightly more familiar, comprising an official dinner, drinks and, of course, fireworks.
- On the second Independence Day, General George Washington gave his soldiers a double ration of rum, possibly explaining why 4 July remains one of the booziest US holidays.
- It seems unthinkable today that workers would not be given a holiday on 4 July, but Congress did not make Independence Day a paid federal holiday until 1938.
- According to several sources, Americans spend more than $1 billion on beer for the Fourth. That is A LOT of Budweiser. Also, more than 150 million hot dogs are consumed on 4 July.
- Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on 4 July, 1826.
Follow @PaytonGuion on Twitter.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments