The Continental Congress actually declared independence on July 2, 1776, but the final wording of the Declaration was approved on July 4th.
The first U.S. flag featured a circle of 13 stars to symbolize the unity of the original 13 colonies.
Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, two signers of the Declaration of Independence, died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the document was signed.
Despite the legend, the Liberty Bell likely didn’t ring on July 4, 1776. Historians believe it was rung on July 8th to mark the first public reading of the Declaration.
It took nearly a century for the U.S. Congress to declare July 4th a federal holiday in 1870, and it became a paid federal holiday in 1941.
Most of the delegates didn’t sign the Declaration until August 2, 1776. Only a few signed it on July 4th.
Besides Jefferson and Adams, James Monroe also died on July 4, in 1831.
The 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, 1872.
The Philippines gained independence from the U.S. on July 4, 1946, and celebrated it as their Independence Day until 1962.
Despite the patriotic celebrations, the majority of fireworks used in the U.S. are imported from China.