Fire up the grills and get those charcuterie boards ready, the 4th of July is one to celebrate big this year! With gathering restrictions mostly lifted, spirits are high this summer in 2021. After being cooped up for a year you may not know what to talk about at your 4th of July BBQ. Fret not! We’ve got 8 fun facts you can bring with you in case the conversations start to get dry.
1) We didn’t actually declare Independence on July 4th
While we celebrate our independence on the 4th the official vote in 1776 took place 2 days prior to the 4th. However, on the 4th it was published in papers that America declared its independence.
2) The 50-Star Flag Designer is from Lancaster, OH
Would you believe us if we told you that our 50-star flag as we know it was because a teacher in Lancaster, OH assigned their students an assignment to create a flag design? In 1958, thanks to a small class project and Hawaii and Alaska nearing statehood, we now have the flag design we know and love today!
The winning design was created by Robert G Heft who received a B- on the project. Determined to succeed, he sent it off to Washington D.C. to be considered by then-president Dwight D. Eisenhower. Robert G Heft was one of many who sent in a design but the only one to send in a fully stitched design.
3) Americans Will eat 150 million hotdogs on July 4th
Did you know that there is a National Sausage and Hot Dog Council? Well, there is and they estimate that on July 4th Americans will eat well over 150 million hot dogs! About 7 billion are expected to be eaten between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Better loosen those belt loops!
4) Only 2 Men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776
Charles Thompson and John Hancock were the only 2 men who actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. The remaining 54 signatures spanned over the course of the next month.
5) The Average age of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence was 45
Of the 56 men that signed the Declaration in 1776, the youngest was 26 years (Thomas Lynch Jr) and the oldest 70 (Benjamin Franklin).
6) Americans will light off nearly $1 billion in fireworks
The American Pyrotechnics Association announced that nearly $1 billion in fireworks will be set off this weekend. They also estimate about 12,900 ER visits this weekend will be firework-related.
7) Wearing the flag violates US Flag Code
The U.S. Flag Code states that you are in violation if you sell or display any article of merchandise that has the American flag on it. This includes prints, paintings, attached or otherwise placing a representation of the flag on something you intend to decorate, mark, advertise or sell. But the Flag Code is not enforced so you don’t need to sweat this one too bad.
8) July 4th wasn’t declared a national holiday until 100 years after the original date
It wasn’t until 1870 that July 4th became a federal holiday.