4th of July
Who ruled England when the Colonies established independence?
What is the location of the nation’s oldest 4th of July parade?
Bristol, Rhode Island
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has happened on each Independence Day since 1972. Where does the competition take place?
Coney Island, New York
How many people were killed during the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770?
Five
The Declaration of Independence was finalized as a written document on July 4, 1776—but on which date did the Continental Congress vote in favor of declaring themselves independent of British rule?
July 2, 1776
How many people were estimated to be living in the Colonies when they gained independence?
2.5 Million
What was the first state to declare the 4th of July a state holiday?
Massachusetts
According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, roughly how many hot dogs are eaten on the 4th of July?
150 million
What saying, associated with the British taxing the Colonies, is often referred to as a pillar in the American Revolution?
“No taxation without representation”
On which day was the Declaration of Independence actually signed?
Aug. 2, 1776
Which city hosted the first official Independence Day celebration on July 4, 1777?
Philadelphia
What year was the 4th of July declared a national holiday?
1870
According to the National Retail Federation, how much money are people expected to pay, on average, for the food for their 4th of July bash this year?
$93.34
What was dumped into Boston Harbor on Dec. 16, 1773, to protest Britain taxing the Colonies?
Tea
How many original copies of the Declaration of Independence are believed to have been printed?
200
When was the first 4th of July celebration held at the White House?
July 4, 1801, when Thomas Jefferson was president
Which three U.S. presidents died on the 4th of July?
John Adams (July 4, 1826)
Thomas Jefferson (July 4, 1826)
James Monroe (July 4, 1831)
What is the largest 4th of July fireworks display in the U.S.?
The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks celebration in New York City
What is the name of the man who made a midnight ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn residents the British were coming?
Paul Revere
Who is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
How many times does the Liberty Bell ring on each Independence Day?
13 times
On the flip side, which president was born on the 4th of July?
Calvin Coolidge (July 4, 1872)
According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, how much did Americans spend on fireworks in 2024?
$2.3 billion
What was the start date of the Revolutionary War?
April 19, 1775
One of the most famous lines in the Declaration of Independence is “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” But as originally drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the pursuit was not of happiness but of what?
Property. As the story goes, Benjamin Franklin convinced Jefferson to make the change because property was too “narrow” a notion.