Fun 4th of July Facts You Didn’t Know

With US’s 243^rd Independence Day just a week away, Americans are ready to celebrate the holiday the old fashioned way. Before the day arrives, update your knowledge about this historic day with these fun facts!

It Wasn’t Always A Federal Holiday

The Congress didn’t declare July 4th as a federal holiday until the June of 1870, almost a hundred years after the Declaration of Independence. It was among the first few federal holidays issued at that time, alongside Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve. As per the law, federal employees were legally allowed to take a day off on these 4 days.

However, the state of Massachusetts acknowledged July 4^th as an official holiday back in 1781. It was the first state to do so, with others following suit eventually. Some of the earliest traditions and celebrations can be traced back to Massachusetts, including bonfires and parades.

It’s Linked with Presidential Birthdays & Death Anniversaries

The date has had quite a few presidential coincidences. Calvin Coolidge, the 30^th president of the United States was in fact born on this very day in 1872! Malia Obama, the daughter of former president Barrack Obama, also shares her birthday with the US Independence Day.

Slightly less fun fact: July 4^th is also the death anniversary of not one, not two, but three US presidents. President Adams, President Jefferson, and President Monroe—all died on the 4^th of July.

It’s an Expensive Annual Celebration

Celebrations for July 4^th get grander by the year, with thousands of Americans spending quite a bit on the holiday festivities. According to the NRF, the average planned per person spending for an individual is expected to be over $73 for food items, cookouts, or picnics. With summer being the ideal barbeque season, most of the expenditure is for the purchase or preparation of hotdogs, with approximately 150 million hotdogs consumed on July 4th each year.

The NRF has also predicted that roughly 26% of those celebrating the day will be spending on patriotic items this year, such as flags, banners, and other decorations and accessories. And of course, no celebration is complete without fireworks! Nearly $1 billion is spent on fireworks collectively on July 4^th, with several displays held across the country.

Ready to celebrate the holiday this year? You’re going to need a high-quality American flag for the festivities!

Federal Flags is a premium supplier for national flags, state flags, flagpoles, and flag accessories. Call us at 1-404-409-9737 to order yours now!