15 Fun and Interesting Facts...

About The 4th Of July

1. There are 30 places across the nation that have the word Liberty in their name. The most populous one is Liberty, Missouri (26,232). Iowa has more of these places than any other state: four (Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty). Four states in the US have Liberty counties - Florida, Texas, Georgia and Montana.

2. In Major League Baseball history, four men of importance were born on July 4th - New York Yankees' owner, George Steinbrenner; Hall of Famer, Mickey Welch; Former Major League pitcher, George Mullin; and Colorado Rockies', Vinny Castilla.

3. In 1777, one year after the Declaration of Independence was signed into existence, the first official July 4th celebration was held. It wasn't until 1941 that the day July 4th become a legal holiday.

4. One US President, Calvin Coolidge, was born on the Fourth of July. Three American Presidents passed away on this day - Adams, Jefferson and Monroe. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died within hours of each other on this same day in 1826.

5. Oddly enough, July 4th is also celebrated as the Independence from Meat Day. This observance was created by The Vegetarian Awareness Network in TN.

6. Back in 1777, fireworks were certainly not as we know them today. One of the first displays of fireworks were on this day when American patriots placed lit candles on their windowsills to show their love of country. If a windowsill was bare, it was certain that person was loyal to the English crown.

7. It is estimated that on a single July 4th holiday, 150 million hot dogs will be consumed by Americans.

8. There is a reason why the once popular children's firework, the Sparkler, is now deemed too unsafe for use by kids. The firework's temperature when burning is 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. In 1804, Lewis and Clark celebrate the first July 4th west of the Mississippi. Where? Independence Creek.

10. In July 1776, there was an estimated 2.5 million people living in the colonies. This year, we are at 307 million people.

11. Fireworks were made in China as early as the 11th century. The Chinese used their pyrotechnic mixtures for war rockets and explosives. $193 million is
the value of fireworks imported from China in 2008, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($202 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $28.1 million in 2008, with Australia purchasing more than any other country ($5.8 million).

12. Uncle Sam was first popularized during the War of 1812, when the term appeared on supply containers. Believe it or not, the U. S. Congress didn't adopt him as a national symbol until 1961.

13. The first two versions of the Liberty Bell were defective and had to be melted down and recast. The third version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1835, when, according to tradition, it cracked as it was being tolled for the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.

14.$3.4 million
In 2008, that is the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($3 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.

15.Florida
The state that led the nation in watermelon production in 2008 (861 million pounds). Other leading producers of this popular fruit included California, Texas and Georgia, each with more than 500 million pounds.

by Melodyfair
Additional Information from
Census Bureau’s Facts for Features Series

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