4th of July Fun Facts

We love trivia. Here are some fun facts gathered from Pier 1 Imports about the 4th of July

• Over 74 million families will barbecue on this day. Will your family be one of them? Who wears the apron in YOUR family?
• Over 150 million hot dogs will be eaten on the Fourth. That’s one hot dog for every two Americans. Please make mine with mustard and onions.
• The most popular sides at the 4th of July BBQ? Potato salad and baked beans.
• Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
• John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died within hours of each other on July 4, 1826.
• The only American president born on the 4th of July was Calvin Coolidge (b. 1872).
• The Liberty Bell weighs 2000 pounds and cost $225 to make.
• In 1959, the very first Pepsi 400 race was held. This event is hosted by NASCAR every 4th of July or the Saturday of 4th of July weekend
• In 1916, four immigrants are said to have been arguing who among them was most patriotic on this 4th of July. The four decided to settle the dispute with a hot dog eating contest, thus sparking the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest held annually on the 4th in Coney Island.
• In 1870, Congress made July 4th a national, but unpaid, holiday for all federal employees.
• America has its own places of patriotic pride, as shown by the multitude of places within the United States with patriotic names. For example, at least thirty cities include "liberty" in their names, such as Liberty, MO and Iowa's Libertyville, North Liberty, West Liberty and New Liberty. The United States also is home to thirty-two "Eagles," eleven "Independences," five "Freedoms," and even a "Patriot" (residing in Indiana).