15 Hidden Gems of USA Independence Day:Prepare to Be Amazed!
Did you know the Declaration of Independence wasn't signed on July 4th? Only John Hancock signed it on that day; the rest signed on August 2, 1776.
Secret Signers
The first Independence Day fireworks were set off in 1777 in Philadelphia. The tradition started just one year after the Declaration was signed.
Forgotten Fireworks Origin
One of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence was hidden behind wallpaper during the Civil War to protect it from being seized.
The Lost Original
The Liberty Bell wasn't rung on July 4, 1776, due to fear it would crack. It was the first rung for George Washington’s birthday.
The Iconic Bell
The Star-Spangled Banner, America's national anthem, was originally a British drinking song. It was officially adopted in 1931.
The Strange Salute
Three U.S. presidents—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe—died on July 4. Adams and Jefferson died on the same day in 1826, the 50th anniversary of Independence.
The Patriot President
The Statue of Liberty's torch wasn't always accessible to the public. It was closed off after an explosion in 1916 caused by German agents during World War I.
During the Revolutionary War, soldiers celebrated with a meal of mush and molasses. Today, July 4th BBQs are a far cry from the simple fare of the past.