Happy 4th of July, everyone!
The Fourth of July is here once more, which means cookouts, parades, a whole lot of red, white, and blue, and last but not least, FIREWORKS (thanks, John Adams)!! We hope everyone has an awesome day & enjoys the many festivities happening across the United States!
But of course, the 4th of July isn’t just about fireworks; it’s the celebration of the birth of our country and commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
For all you history buffs out there, here are some fun facts about Independence Day and the early history of the United States!
Commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire.
In New England, towns competed to build towering pyramids, assembled from barrels and casks. They were lit at nightfall, to usher in the celebration. The highest were in Salem, Massachusetts, composed of as many as forty tiers of barrels; these are the tallest bonfires ever recorded. The custom flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries and is still practiced in some New England towns.
The yelling of “O” during the SSB at sporting events originated at an Orioles game.
Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.
The Rickey is named after “Colonel Joe” Rickey; evidently, he ordered one in DC and then called for another. It’s now considered the official drink of Washington, DC.
Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but another Founding Father who became a President, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third President in a row who died on the holiday. Calvin Coolidge , the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, is the only U.S. President to have been born on Independence Day.
In 2009, New York City had the largest fireworks display in the country, with over 22 tons of pyrotechnics exploded. Wanna see? Check out the video below!
A salute of one gun for each state in the United States, called a “salute to the union”, is fired on Independence Day at noon by any capable military base
1778: General George Washington marked July 4 with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute.
Photography by Photos from the Harty
This one is not directly related to Independence Day, but it’s still a pretty cool fact about the USA: “The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem of the United States of America, written during the Battle of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor (War of 1812 ). The lyrics come from “Defence of Fort M’Henry”, a poem written by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key; after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the Royal Navy, Key put his pen to paper. Key was inspired by the large American flag , the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the American victory.
So, cheers to George Washington, freedom, and good ol’ US of A!
Happy 4th of July!!
