Celebrating the Fourth

Posted June 29, 2010, 11:02 am in Entertainment


It’s become one of the most celebrated holidays in America, as each year people buy millions of fireworks, hot dogs, and American flags for cookouts across the nation. And this year, as the Fourth of July comes around once more, let’s take a look back at how this holiday originated.


Many believe that the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, or that the young United States declared its independence on this historic date. Mythbuster alert! It turns out, leaders actually technically declared their independence on July 2nd, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress approved a resolution that separated the colonies from Great Britain.

That caused John Adams to write this letter to his wife:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It 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."

He was close, but not quite right. It took two days, lots of debate and several changes before Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. And the famous wielders of pen-and-paper didn't officially sign the treasured document on August 2nd. And, because this all happened in the days before instant messaging, Facebook and Twitter, it took a while for the news to reach the masses.

Philadelphia kicked off the celebration, during the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. But Georgia didn't get wind of the news until August 10th. And in terms of marking the day officially, it took many years for the federal government and individual states to recognize the 4th of July as a holiday.

So now that you know the history -- how about some other fun facts? (source)

• Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle.
• An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on the 4th of July. That's roughly 1 dog for every two people in the U.S.
• More than $211 million has been spent on importing of fireworks from China.
• Oddly, the majority of the nation's flags and patriotic paraphernalia in relation to the 4th of July is produced in China. Nearly $349 million dollars are used each year to import the flags, banners, decorations, and emblems.
• The first 4th of July party held at the White House was in 1801.
• More than 74 million Americans will barbecue on the fourth.
• The 4th of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941.
• The national anthem is actually set to the tune of an old Englishdrinking song called "To Anacreon in Heaven."
• The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.

And of course -- the tradition we all look forward to...the hot dog eating contest! In 2009, Rich LeFevre was not able to take part because of an illness. But he's always a favorite for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest, so we'll be watching him closely in 2010!

LeFevre -- aka "The Locust" told Growing Bolder why he loves to compete, and how it's become a family sport:




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