Each year as Americans celebrate their country’s independence on July 4, few realize it is the anniversary of perhaps one of the most remarkable coincidences in history: the death of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams who died a few hours apart on July 4, 1826 — on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. But there are many other interesting numbers related to the 4th of July:
7-2-76: The day the Continental Congress voted for independence from Great Britain. John Adams imagined how the day should be celebrated. In a letter to his wife, he wrote: “[July 2] will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival; [it should include] Pomp and Parade… Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.”
7-4-76: The day the Continental Congress officially approved the Declaration of Independence
2.5: Number of years that occurred between the Boston Tea Party and the signing of the Declaration of Independence
13: Number of colonies represented by delegates who signed
56: Number of signers
70: Age of the oldest signer, Benjamin Franklin (70)
26: Age of the youngest signer, Edward Rutledge (26)
8: Number of signers that were born in Great Britain or Ireland
1: Number of signers who recanted, Richard Stockton (while held prisoner by the British)
1781: The year in which Massachusetts became the first state to make the 4th of July a state holiday
1870: Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday
1941: Congress declared July 4th a federal legal (i.e., paid) holiday
66%: Percentage of Americans who display an American flag
63%: Percentage of Americans who attend a fireworks show
26%: Percentage who light their own fireworks
14,000: Number of 4th of July fireworks shows across the country
80%: Percentage of Americans who attend a barbecue or picnic
150 Million: Number of hot dogs consumed on 4th of July
30%: Percentage of hot dogs that come from Iowa
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Read related posts: Jefferson and Adams Die on July 4, 1826
A Republic If You Can Keep It
Is the United States a Democracy or a Republic?
For further reading: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th/interactives/4th-of-july-by-the-numbers
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th
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