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odd but true * SPECIAL 4TH EDITION *

‘odd but true’ 4th of July fun facts

The One World Trade Center in New York was designed to be 1,776 feet tall. One of the most spectacular features of the building is its height, which represents the year America declared independence from Great Britain.

There were only about 2.5 million people living in the United States in 1776. That number is drastically different from the approximately 332 million people that live here today!

July 4th wasn’t an official holiday until almost 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. It wasn’t common to celebrate this patriotic event for the first few decades of America’s independence. When it was established as an official holiday in 1870, it became one of the most popular nonreligious celebrations in the United States.

Americans spend over $1 billion on fireworks every 4th of July. This fact just blows our mind!

There are approximately 16,000 Independence Day fireworks displays that take place each year. America’s 4th of July tradition is a bit of a loud one, but iconic nonetheless. According to History.com, the custom dates back to 1777.

Despite what you might have thought, only two men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. You can thank John Hancock and Charles Thompson for this one. The rest of the delegates signed within the weeks that followed.

The Pledge of Allegiance has been changed four times. It was first written in 1892, but was then changed in 1923 (briefly again in 1924), and then one more time in 1954. As of today, it reads as: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Around 64% of Americans own a U.S.A flag. A patriotic fact indeed. This is according to a study conducted in 2024, so you can expect to see those stripes and stars waving all around on the 4th of July and beyond!

Six American flags have made it to the moon. Patriotism is out of this world! As of June 2023, there have been six American flags that have made it and are still standing on the moon. The flags are from the Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 missions. If you’re wondering how the flags can withstand such climates, it’s because they are made of nylon with aluminum flagpoles!

The Nathan’s Famous 4th of July hot dog eating contest began over a century ago. According to the company itself, the first unofficial contest took place on July 4th, 1916. The contest, which began with four immigrants competing to determine who was the most patriotic, ended up becoming one of the most widely known July 4th traditions in America.

John Adams thought Independence Day should be celebrated on July 2. He had a point, given that the Continental Congress did declare its freedom from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. However, an official document explaining this move to the public wasn’t published until two days later, on July 4, 1776.

The 50th star was added to the American flag on July 4, 1960. It symbolized Hawaii’s admission as the U.S.’s 50th state.

John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. His bold signature was so memorable that his name became synonymous with the word (as in, “Put your John Hancock on this form.”).

The Liberty Bell is tapped 13 times on July 4th. Every year on July 4, descendants of the Declaration of Independence signers tap the Liberty Bell 13 times. The tradition was created as a way to honor the original 13 colonies.

Americans spend billions of dollars on food alone for the 4th of July. In fact, in 2023 it was predicted that Americans would be spending $9.5 billion on food in preparation for their patriotic festivities.

The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks celebration in New York City is the largest display in America. It’s okay if you thought the display in Southport was the biggest. 😂 Though, you would be wrong, because it’s up in NYC—and you can watch it live, even if you’re not in the area!

There is a small and brief message written on the back of the Declaration of Independence. It’s upside down, too. But it’s not as unusual as it sounds. Instead, it reads as this: “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776.” Though, it’s not clear who wrote this message—which sort of makes it an American mystery. 🤔

John Adams predicted that Independence Day would be a huge celebration for many generations to come. In a letter he wrote to his wife, Abigail Adams, he declared that the day should be filled with games, sports, parades, and laughter. He basically planned the day for us!

 

 

We hope you enjoyed our ‘odd but true’ 4th facts. Happy 4th of July!!

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