GALLERY: Newborns at UNC Health get in the Fourth of July spirit
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20 Little-Known Facts About the Fourth of July That Will Amaze Your Kids
Americans spend more than $1 billion annually on fireworks. America declared independence on July 2, 1776. John Adams predicted modern-day Fourth of July festivities in a letter to his wife Abigail. The largest fireworks display takes place in New York City on July 4, Macy’s in NYC. The Declaration of Independence was signed two days after July 4 in 1776, and became a federal holiday 100 years later in 1870.. Independence Day became an unpaid federal holiday in 1870, and it was made a paid holiday for federal employees in 1941, and this year it remains so. It’s estimated that more than 341 million people reside in the U.S. as of 2025, and there are about 2.5 million Americans living in the United States. The United States is the world’s largest consumer of fireworks, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) There are more than 1,000 fireworks displays across the country, but the largest one is sponsored by the Macy’s fireworks company.
Give your children a history lesson by sharing these fun Fourth of July facts. Who knows—they might be inspired to share them at your family’s celebration!
1. America began as 13 British colonies
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Great Britain owned several territories along North America’s Atlantic coast. They were known as the Thirteen Colonies and included Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. The 13 stripes in the modern American flag represent those original colonies.
2. The Revolutionary War started America’s quest for independence
The Thirteen Colonies weren’t entirely happy with Britain’s rule over them. They initiated the American Revolutionary War in 1775 to express their grievances about certain matters, such as taxation and their lack of representation in government. It soon turned into a quest for independence from Britain.
3. America actually declared independence on July 2, 1776
Delegates from the Thirteen Colonies held a meeting called the Second Continental Congress. On July 2, 1776, they agreed to approve a resolution of independence, which proclaimed freedom from British rule. The statement of autonomy, called the Declaration of Independence, was officially approved two days later on July 4.
4. John Adams predicted modern-day Fourth of July festivities
In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams wrote about his vision for Independence Day. Here’s what Adams said: “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.” He added that it would be observed with “pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”
5. America had about 2.5 million residents in 1776
America’s population has grown exponentially since the Declaration of Independence was signed. As of 2025, it’s estimated that more than 341 million people reside in the United States.
6. Historical records indicate that Fourth of July fireworks took place in Philadelphia in 1777
An article published in The Virginia Gazette on July 18, 1777, talked about July Fourth celebrations in Philadelphia. It mentioned parades, music, speeches, fireworks, and boats adorned with red, white, and blue decorations.
7. Even George Washington got in the patriotic spirit
Historical sources say that George Washington gave his soldiers double rations of rum on July 4, 1778. A trend that still remains. Nowadays many adults celebrate Independence Day with beer and patriotic cocktails instead.
8. The first Fourth of July parade was in Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol hosted a small Fourth of July parade in 1785. Since then, it has expanded into an annual celebration that starts on Flag Day (June 14) and ends with a parade winding 2.5 miles through the town on July 4.
9. The White House’s first Fourth of July party was in 1801
Thomas Jefferson hosted the party, which is now an annual celebration with a concert and fireworks display at the National Mall.
10. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on the Fourth of July
Two signers of the Declaration of Independence went on to become president: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Both men died on July 4, 1826—a significant date because it marked the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. America’s fifth president James Monroe also died on July 4, 1831, although he wasn’t a signer of the Declaration.
11. Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1870
The Fourth of July became an unpaid federal holiday in 1870—nearly 100 years after it was founded. Congress made it a paid holiday for federal employees in 1941, and it remains so to this day.
12. The largest fireworks display takes place in New York City
On Independence Day, there are thousands of public fireworks displays across the country, but the largest one is sponsored by Macy’s in New York City. Plenty of other cities host large-scale fireworks shows, too, such as Detroit, Boston, Houston, Nashville, and Washington, D.C.
13. Americans spend more than $1 billion on fireworks annually
The total accounts for personal consumer fireworks and public display fireworks, according to data compiled by the American Pyrotechnics Association. That’s an explosive Fourth of July fact for kids!
14. Seward, Nebraska, was dubbed ‘America’s Official Fourth of July City-Small Town USA’ by Congress
Congress made the resolution because since 1868 the city of Seward has hosted Fourth of July celebrations in its town square. More than 40,000 people attend the festivities, which is especially remarkable because only 6,000 people reside in Seward!
15. Americans eat 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July
According to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council (NHDSC), that’s enough hot dogs to stretch from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles more than five times!
16. The Star Spangled Banner became our national anthem in 1931
Francis Scott Key wrote the ballad during the War of 1812 on September 14, 1814. Now it’s probably the most famous song about the country.
17. The first official US flag was adopted on June 14, 1777
About two years into the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress passed a resolution that established the first official flag for the U.S. as an independent nation. The flag had 13 stripes and 13 stars. Since then, there have been 27 official versions of the flag with the current design being the longest-standing. Flag Day is observed each year on June 14.
18. It’s actually a violation to sport the American flag
The U.S. flag code was established in 1942, and it states that the flag “should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.” That said, you can’t get any penalties for breaking the code, so don’t worry about that American flag shirt or bathing suit in your closet!
19. Calvin Coolidge is the only president to have a July 4 birthday
Former president Calvin Coolidge is the only president born on Independence Day. He was also a strong supporter of the woman’s suffrage movement—how’s that for independence?
20. Only two men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4
John Hancock and Charles Thomspon were the only two men who signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The rest of the delegates signed the historical document over the next few weeks.