Interesting Facts about July 4th

by
On Jul 2, 2019
Listed in Goldsboro Area Real Estate News
  • The first 4th of July celebrations weren’t much different than today’s. As the July 18, 1777 issue of the Virginia Gazette describes the July 4 celebration in Philadelphia: “The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated. Every thing was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal.”

  • John Adams and Thomas Jefferson pushed for the bald eagle to be the national bird, while Benjamin Franklin pushed for the turkey. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson won out.

  • July 4 wasn’t deemed a federal holiday until 1870, nearly 100 years after the nation was founded.

  • The 4th was not considered a paid federal holiday until 1939

  • The Liberty Bell is tapped 13 times on every July 4th. It cannot be rung for fear of cracking the historic bell. It has not been rung since 1846.

  • On July 4th, 1776, there were 2.5 million people living in the new nation. Today the population of the U.S.A. is 316 million.

  • Fireworks are part of the tradition of celebrating this national holiday. The U.S. imported $227.3 million worth of fireworks from China in 2012. U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $11.7 million in 2012, with Israel purchasing more than any other country ($2.5 million). It is estimated that approximately 14,000 professional fireworks displays are put on each 4th of July in the United States.

  •  Approximately 150 million hot dogs and 700 million pounds of chicken are consumed on this day.  Barbecue is also big on Independence Day.

  • Other countries — including Denmark, England, Norway, Portugal and Sweden — celebrate the Fourth of July because many of their citizens moved to the US or simply to attract American tourists.

*Birkshire Hathaway McMillen and Associates send our appreciation to all of those who have served for our country*

 

 

 

 

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