| The 231st celebration of the Declaration of | | | | July weekend. In this past year, Americans are said |
| Independence is upon us, and America is ready to | | | | to have celebrated so much that 150 million hot dogs |
| celebrate! Fire up the grill and break out your hot | | | | were consumed. That leaves one hot dog for every |
| dogs and hamburgers, because the 4th of July is just | | | | two people; everyone will have to share! |
| around the corner. | | | | Americans don't just stop the celebration with food; |
| Although our nation's real independence began at the | | | | they have to add some "boom" to signify the day as |
| end of the Revolutionary War on September 3rd in | | | | well. Last year $211 million worth of fireworks were |
| 1783 and President John Adams originally thought | | | | purchased in the United States with the bulk being |
| Americans would be celebrating a different day- July | | | | used on Independence Day. The majority of |
| 2nd - as a commemoration of our country's freedom, | | | | fireworks didn't come from America, however; most |
| Americans still look to the 4th to celebrate the | | | | ($201.9 million worth) came from China. |
| birthday of America. | | | | One of the largest fireworks displays on the 4th also |
| July 2nd was the day when Adams and the rest of | | | | comes from abroad: Windsor, Ontario hosts a large |
| his colleagues signed the Declaration of | | | | firework display over the Detroit River every Fourth |
| Independence, while the 4th was simply the day | | | | of July. This celebration is held in order to |
| Americans accepted the document. Although correct | | | | commemorate both America's Independence and |
| in assuming the day would be "solemnized with Pomp | | | | Canada Day, which marks the formation of the |
| and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, | | | | nation ofCanada on July 1st 1867. |
| Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this | | | | America still holds its own places of patriotic pride, as |
| Continent to the other from this Time forward | | | | shown by the multitude of places within the United |
| forever more," Adams simply missed the mark by 48 | | | | States with patriotic names. For example, at least |
| hours. | | | | thirty cities include "liberty" in their names, such as |
| And, indeed the 4th is celebrated with much festivity, | | | | Liberty, MO and Iowa's Libertyville, North Liberty, |
| but also with a sense of historical recognition. Since | | | | West Liberty and New Liberty. The United States |
| 1776, the 4th of July has been a day of spectacle | | | | also is home to thirty-two "Eagles," eleven |
| and prominence, with every year bringing a new | | | | "Independences," five "Freedoms," and even a |
| event. A list of 13 historical events that occurred on | | | | "Patriot" (residing in Indiana). |
| this historic day has been compiled by James R. | | | | Americans also show their pride is through the display |
| Heintze (american.edu/heintze/fourth.htm) but here | | | | of the American flag, a symbol of justice and |
| are a few of the most prominent events: | | | | freedom. The same Americans flying the flag may |
| 1. 1777 The first 4th of July celebration containing 13 | | | | not know these eight interesting facts about their |
| guns (each representing a colony) fired once in the | | | | flag(pueblo.gsa.gov): |
| morning and once as evening fell in Bristol, Rhode | | | | 1. The version of a flag with 13 alternating red and |
| Island. Bristol now claims to hold the oldest 4th of | | | | white stripes and a blue square containing thirteen |
| July celebration, giving it the nickname "America's | | | | white starts was adopted on June 14, 1777 by the |
| most patriotic town." | | | | Marine Committee of the Second Continental |
| 2. 1778 General George Washington marked the 2nd | | | | Congress in Philadelphia, PA. |
| anniversary with double rations of rum for his soldiers | | | | 2. Francis Hopkins of New Jersey designed the flag |
| and an order to put "green boughs" in their hats. | | | | (and also signed the Declaration of Independence) as |
| 3. 1791 The first record of the 4th being called | | | | well as helping to design the Great Seal of the United |
| "Independence Day" and George Washington's only | | | | States. |
| 4th of July address in Lancaster, PA . | | | | 3. The "Betsy Ross Flag" refers to a flag containing |
| 4. 1804 The first celebration of Independence Day | | | | thirteen stars arranged in a circle. |
| west of the Mississippi at Independence Creek, | | | | 4. The number of stars on the flag represents the |
| celebrated by Lewis and Clark. | | | | number of current states in the union and thus has |
| 5. 1826 John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only | | | | been changed multiple times over the years. |
| two men to sign the Declaration of Independence | | | | 5. President Eisenhower set the proportions of the |
| and become President, both die on July 4th of this | | | | flag with an Executive Order of the President on |
| year; also the 50th anniversary of the United States. | | | | August 21, 1959. According to this the proportions of |
| 6. 1870 Congress makes July 4th a national, but | | | | the flag are as follows: hoist (width) of flag:1.0, fly |
| unpaid, holiday for all federal employees. | | | | (length) of flag:1.9, hoist (width) of union (the blue |
| 7. 1872 Calvin Coolidge, 30th president, is born. | | | | square containing the stars): 0.5385, fly (length) of |
| 8. 1884 The Statue of Liberty is formally presented | | | | union:0.76, width of each stripe:0.0769, diameter of |
| to the United States. | | | | each star: 0.0616. |
| 9. 1916 Four immigrants are said to have been arguing | | | | 6. According to the United States code Title 36, |
| who among them was most patriotic on this 4th of | | | | Chapter 10 Patriotic Customs, the flag should be |
| July. The four decided to settle the dispute with a | | | | displayed only from sunrise to sunset and during |
| hot dog eating contest, thus sparking Nathan's Hot | | | | good weather. |
| Dog Eating Contest held annually on the 4th in Coney | | | | 7. All schools, court houses and main administration |
| Island. | | | | buildings for all public institutions should have an |
| 10. 1959 The very first Pepsi 400 held; this event is | | | | American flag close by. |
| hosted by NASCAR every 4th of July or the | | | | 8. Flags should also be hoisted briskly and lower |
| Saturday of 4th of July weekend. | | | | ceremoniously. |
| 11. 1997 The U.S. Pathfinder lands on Mars. | | | | Learning such historical and practical information about |
| 12. 1999 112 people all born on the 4th from 1900 | | | | our country and its Fourth of July traditions adds |
| through 1999 gather in Philadelphia in front of | | | | significance to this holiday. Additional information on |
| Independence Hall for a "Photo of the Century." | | | | Independence Day, flag history and fun facts on U.S. |
| 13. 2006 The first space shuttle to launch on | | | | holidays can be found at such sites as the United |
| Independence Day becomes Discovery at 2:37:55pm | | | | States Census Bureau (census.gov) Wikipedia at |
| EDT. | | | | (wikipedia.org). Another great site for finding 30 million |
| Such historical events only add to the fun of Fourth | | | | articles on hundreds of topics is AccessMyLibrary |
| of July celebrations; but food is what makes the 4th | | | | (accessmylibrary.com). This site grants access to |
| special for many Americans. Over the last year, 68 | | | | articles that are frequently updated and are free to |
| million Americans were said to have participated in a | | | | all users, courtesy of your local library. |
| barbeque, many of which occur during the Fourth of | | | | |