Fun July 4th Facts & Travel Tips

Fun July 4th Facts & Travel Tips

July 4th is the United States National Day most patriotic day of the year. A day for fun, sun, barbecues, and of course, travel. Here are some fun facts along with some helpful travel advice for this upcoming July 4th holiday:

 

Independence Day Facts

 

  1. Three Presidents Died on July 4th.

Thomas Jefferson – Jul 4, 1826

John Adams – July 4 1826

James Monroe – July 4, 1831

 

  1. Two Presidents Died on the Same Day – July 4.

Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence and both died on the same day. Weird.

 

  1. Born on the 4th of July

President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4th 1872, so was Meyer Lansky, a Russian American mobster in 1902; Abigail Van Buren or as most of us know her “Dear Abby’; singer Bill Withers; Malia Obama are just some well known figures born on this day.

 

  1. Fireworks

In the USA, we light up about 200 million pounds of fireworks! Most of them are imported from China – that’s about $247,100,000 worth.

 

  1. Bald Eagle? What about a Turkey instead?

We bet you did not know that Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a Turkey. Benjamin Franklin thought that the bald eagle is a bird of bad moral character, whereas the turkey is a more respectable bird. We all know how this turned out, he lost that vote.

 

  1. Road Trip

The First week of July is typically the busiest travel week of the year in the United States. Tips to avoid the holiday gridlock are to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance; avoid traveling on the road between 2pm and 5pm on July 3rd; if you are planning on sticking around to watch the fireworks, consider leaving early, before the show is over, or stay overnight so you don’t get stuck in traffic.

 

  1. Coincidences

Did you know that not only did both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both signed the Declaration of Independence on this day but also both died on the same day?

 

  1. Philippines celebrates July 4 after Independence from the United States

Well who knew….. on July 4th, 1946, the Treaty of Manila was signed in the Philippines giving them independence from…The United States.

 

  1. Mount Rushmore

There are 4 Presidents on Mount Rushmore: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Thomas Jefferson Signed the Declaration of Independence.

 

  1. Sign Your John Hancock

The Term “Sign Your John Hancock”  comes from an actual guy named John Hancock. He was the president of the Continental Congress and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

 

  1. Hot Dog!

A traditional staple food for BBQ’s on July 4th is the hot dog.  America consumes about 150 million hot dogs on this date.

 

  1. Movies and July 4th

The Biggest Blockbuster movies of the year open on Independence Day weekend. The biggest movie star with 5 out of the top 20 hits that opened on July 4th is Will Smith. He is king of the Independence Day, literally.

Some big July 4th Weekend Movie Openings.

Independence Day starring Will Smith

Spiderman 2

War of the Worlds

Men in Black I – Will Smith

Men in Black II – Will Smith

Hancock – Will Smith

Terminator 3

Twilight Eclipse

Wild Wild West – Will Smith

 

  1. What is Independence Day

The Declaration of Independence was signed on July the 4th, 1776. This day celebrates America’s Independence from Britain.

 

  1. It Could Actually be a fib

While it is widely believed that the Declaration of Independence was actually signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776. Only John Hancock, Charles Thompson, signed it on July 4. The rest of the 56 delegates signed nearly a month later.

 

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