Here are a few little-known facts about our national holiday. Feel free to use them as conversation-starters at your annual barbeque or just as a way to impress your friends and family with your patriotic knowledge!
The Flag:
Betsy Ross actually sewed the first American flag in May or June, 1776.
- On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the national flag as a way to promote national pride and unity.
- So far, there have been 28 versions of the U.S. flag to date. The most recent version was designed in 1958-after Alaska and Hawaii joined the union-by high school student Robert Heft as a school project. Robert received a “B-” on his project. He then submitted it in the national competition to select the next flag and his design won! Subsequently, his teacher raised his grade to an “A” (oops!).
Presidential Deaths:
- Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who were life-long rivals, died on July 4th, 1826. Adams’ last words “Thomas Jefferson lives!” proved to be untrue: Jefferson had died five hours earlier, but Adams had not received the message.
- James Monroe also died on July 4th in 1831.
Fireworks:
- We probably have John Adams to thank for our modern-day fireworks displays. He wrote that the day (he thought it should be celebrated on July 2nd) “Ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
- During the days of horse and carriage, before cars became the popular mode of transportation, July 4th was the most miserable day of the year for horses due to the loud noise.
- Since static electricity in synthetic clothing can unleash sparks that can detonate fireworks, people who manufacture the shells are required to wear cotton clothing (including their underwear).
- To date, the largest fireworks display on record took place in Madeira, Portugal in December 2006, during which 66,326 fireworks were detonated.
Declaration of Independence:
- July 2, 2024 was the actual day that the Continental Congress voted on and declared independence from Britain.
- The Declaration of Independence was actually signed on August 2, 1776, by 50 of the 56 signers.
- Only one of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence recanted. This man was Richard Stockton, who was taken captive by the British in the middle of the night. After harsh treatment at the hands of the British, he declared his allegiance to the crown before being released. Before his death, Stockton re-affirmed his belief in the document and the country it created. Four other signers were also captured and treated harshly by the British, but did not recant.
Uncle Sam:
- It’s thought that the name “Uncle Sam” came from Samuel Wilson, who was a meat packer who provided meat to the U.S. Army. The meat shipments were stamped with the initials “U.S.”, and someone jokingly said that they stood for “Uncle Sam.” Somehow, around 1813, this joke eventually led to that name symbolizing the United States government.
- The traditional Uncle Sam depiction was the creation of political cartoonist Thomas Nast in the late 1800’s. Nast was also responsible for the still-used images of Santa Claus, the Republican Elephant and the Democratic Donkey.
Save the Date:
- July 4th was declared a federal legal holiday by Congress in 1941. Unlike most other federal holidays, its date is “sacred” and has not been moved to the nearest Friday or Monday.
Happy 4th of July!