Happy 4th of July, Pensacola! Today, we celebrate independence, freedom, and the right to eat an unreasonable amount of BBQ, bomb pops and potato chips. We let the fireworks light up the sky and remind ourselves that it’s perfectly acceptable to wear red, white, and blue from head to toe and float in the pool until our fingers and toes turn into California raisins.
This is my reminder to stay safe, stay hydrated be kind, and check out these ten little-known facts about the 4th of July to get you PUMPED for today.
1. The Declaration of Independence was not signed on July 4th. While it was adopted on that day, the actual signing took place on August 2, 1776.
2. Americans LOVE Fireworks. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans spend more than $1 billion on fireworks each year.
3. The oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is held in Bristol, Rhode Island, dating back to 1785.
4. Three U.S. presidents have died on July 4th: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both passed away on July 4, 1826, and James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.
5. Some notable figures born on this day include: Tom Cruise, Post Malone, Malia Obama, George Steinbrenner, Neil Simon, Ron Kovic and Calvin Coolidge.
6. The 4th of July was not declared a federal holiday until 1941, almost 165 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.
7. Massachusetts was the first state to recognize the 4th of July as a state celebration in 1781.
8. The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia has not been rung since 1846 due to a crack. Instead, it is tapped gently every 4th of July to mark the occasion.
9. The 4th of July is the biggest hot dog holiday in the United States. An estimated 150 million hot dogs are consumed on this day alone.
10. The United States isn’t the only country to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. The Philippines also commemorates its independence from Spain on this day.
