Lifestyle

4th of July Facts to Impress Your Friends With

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Think you know all the 4th of July facts? Most know this holiday as American Independence Day, but it hasn’t always been a raucous celebration of fireworks and festivities. Today’s holiday evolved from over time to become a uniquely American event. How patriotic is it? WalletHub set out to answer that question by compiling a listing of facts and figures for the 4th of July. Here are just a few highlights.

Origins of the Holiday

4th of July Parade Float

Photo: www.publicdomainpictures.net

The 4th of July did not have its first parade on the day that 54 people signed the Declaration of Independence. Americans couldn’t celebrate until after the Revolutionary War. Bristol, R.I., held the first 4th of July parade in 1785, but it would not be until 1941 that Congress declared the day a federal holiday.

American Flag Facts

4th of July facts on the flag Include When this 50-star flag came to be standard.

Photo: Pixabay/leovalente

Since the founding of the nation, 27 different American flag designs have flown over the country. The final, 50-star design gained approval in 1960 when the last two states joined the United States and the country adopted its current flag. Did you know that a majority (65%) of Americans owns the stars and stripes? Interestingly, most American flags are imported. The annual value of these imported flags amounts to $5.4 million.

4th of July Facts on Food

Hot dogs with mustard and relish

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Food plays a big role on the 4th of July. It’s hard to not find a family picnicking. In fact, 65.5% of Americans do. Hot dogs, chicken, and hamburgers remain extremely popular. Americans spend a total of $7.15 billion on food for Independence Day. Each 4th of July weekend, Americans consume 150 million hot dogs and purchase 190 million pounds of beef in the two weeks before the holiday. But, to the disappointment of many Texans, beef does not reign supreme. Chicken surpasses beef purchases with Americans buying 700 million pounds of chicken in the two-week period before the 4th.

Beer is big in America, and 4th of July facts would be remiss in failing to note that Americans drink more beer on Independence Day than on any other holiday. In 2016, Americans spent an estimated $1 billion on beer for the 4th of July, but wine was close behind with spending of $568 million.

Fun 4th of July Facts on Fireworks

Independence Day 4th of July Fireworks Over San Diego, California

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

What’s the 4th of July without fireworks? In the Texas Hill Country, you can attend many 4th of July celebrations. But, what about the rest of the country? Across the nation, communities will hold 16,000 fireworks displays, and 43.6% of Americans plan to attend.

Though some plan on launching their own fireworks, in three states, this is illegal. Luckily, none of these three states is Texas. For those who want to create their own show, use extreme caution. Of all fireworks injuries, 67% occur during July, and all fireworks displays create a 42% decrease in air quality. Annually, 800 people land in the emergency room from fireworks injuries on the 4th of July, and sadly, seven die. Don’t let your holiday turn tragic. Check out professional shows to avoid the dangers of lighting your own fireworks.

For more great facts, check out WalletHub’s infographic, and get out there and enjoy your 4th of July celebration, no matter what you decide to do.