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Blog

Independence Day Fun Facts

Posted: 7-1-15 | Parker Flags

Happy Birthday, America! As we celebrate our nation's 239th birthday this weekend we've uncovered a few interesting facts about the 4th of July that we wanted to pass along:

  • In July 1776, the population of the country was estimated at 2.5 million. Today, our nation's population is 321.2 million people. That's one big birthday party!
  • Americans began observing the Fourth of July as early as 1777, when the first-ever major celebration in Philadelphia included a parade, a thirteen-shot cannon salute and fireworks. It was almost 100 years later, in 1870, when Congress made it official by passing a bill to recognize major state holidays at a Federal level. And as for making it a paid holiday, well that came to pass almost 70 years later.
  • The oldest, continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island; it began in 1785.
  • To avoid cracking it, the Liberty Bell has not been rung since 1846. To mark the quintessential day, every fourth of July it is symbolically tapped 13 times.
  • Two future presidents signed the Declaration of Independence: John Adams (second President) and Thomas Jefferson (third President). Both died on the 50th anniversary of signing the Declaration (July 4, 1826). There are 12 counties nationwide named Adams and 26 named Jefferson.
  • Two of our nation’s great national symbols were made overseas. The Liberty Bell was cast in England, and the Statue of Liberty in France.
  • Americans consume about 155 million hot dogs on Independence Day alone; it is the biggest hot dog holiday of the year. And so it's easy to see why July is National Hot Dog month!

You can look to Parker Flags on Independence Day or any day of the year for top quality, USA made flags. Large, small or anything in between, we can help. To get an idea of what we have to offer, visit our comprehensive U.S. Flag section.