Facts about USA Independence Day

Two future presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died on 4 July 1826, the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of independence. USA Independence Day Facts

The estimated number of hot dogs eaten by Americans on the Fourth of July is 150 million. USA Independence Day Facts

There is a 49 percent chance that the beans on an American plate for a Fourth of July picnic came from North Dakota or Michigan. USA Independence Day Facts

There is a 60 percent chance that the corn on the cob eaten by an American for a Fourth of July picnic came from California, Florida, Georgia or New York . USA Independence Day Facts

One-half of the potatoes made for chips or salad at an Independence Day cookout were grown in Idaho or Washington. USA Independence Day Facts

Approximately 74 million Americans participated in a Fourth of July barbecue in 2006. USA Independence Day Facts

The Declaration of Independence was signed by only two people on July 4 1776 - John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most added their signatures on August 2 1776 USA Independence Day Facts

56 people signed the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the majority of it. USA Independence Day Facts

The Fourth of July is the most popular holiday for grilling out (68 percent), followed by Memorial Day (52 percent) and Labor Day (51 percent) USA Independence Day Facts

Charles Carroll, who represented Maryland, was the last surviving signer of the Declaration. He died in 1832 at the age of 95 USA Independence Day Facts

John Hancock, president of the Second Continental Congress, signed the declaration first but his signature was so large it left little room for the others. The term "John Hancock" is still used as a slang term for a signature in the US today. USA Independence Day Facts

A note written upside down on the back of the Declaration of Independence document reads: "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776." Who wrote the note is unknown, though it is thought to have been used as a label. USA Independence Day Facts

The Continental Congress actually voted for independence on 2 July 1776. John Adams, in his writings, noted that 2 July would be the date remembered in American history and be marked with fireworks and celebrations USA Independence Day Facts

The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the the Declaration of Independence. USA Independence Day Facts

Croatia was the first country to recognize the United States in 1776 USA Independence Day Facts

In 1870, The U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees, though it wasn't until 1941 that Congress declared Independence Day to be a paid federal holiday. USA Independence Day Facts

The oldest signer, at age 70, was Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania. Franklin County, Pa., had an estimated population of 154,835 on July 1, 2018. There are 24 counties named Franklin in the United States. USA Independence Day Facts

The youngest signer, at age 26, was Edward Rutledge of South Carolina. There are no counties named Rutledge. USA Independence Day Facts

Founding Father John Adams would turn down invitations to July 4 celebrations, believing that July 2 (the date the Continental Congress voted for American independence) was the correct date to celebrate Independence Day. USA Independence Day Facts

The tradition of using fireworks on the Fourth of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. USA Independence Day Facts

The Liberty Bell did not ring out on July 4th 1776, but rather four days later to announce the first public reading of the document. USA Independence Day Facts

The “Star Spangled Banner” was originally titled "Defense of Fort McHenry." Its melody is based on an English drinking song called “to Anacreon in Heaven.” USA Independence Day Facts

On every July 4, the Liberty Bell is symbolically tapped 13 times by children who are descendants of Declaration signers, honoring the original 13 states. USA Independence Day Facts

The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle so all the Colonies would appear equal. USA Independence Day Facts

The oldest annual Fourth of July celebration is held in Bristol, Rhode Island, which started in 1785. USA Independence Day Facts

George Washington did not sign The Declaration of Independence. At the time, he was in New York preparing to defend Manhattan against the British. USA Independence Day Facts

The tune of the National Anthem is actually from an English drinking song. While Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, the tune comes from an English drinking song called “Anacreon in Heaven.” USA Independence Day Facts