Independence Day

Anyone who reads my column regularly knows I am patriotic.

I’m also a history buff.

I was one of those kids who read encyclopedias.

As we approach the 4th of July holiday I thought I would share a few fun facts about Independence Day.

The Statue of Liberty is America’s symbol of freedom. The tablet she is holding has the date July 4, 1776 engraved on it.

Three presidents died on July 4th.

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe.

President Calvin Coolidge was born on the 4th of July in 1872.

Each year Americans light about 200 million pounds of fireworks. Some swear the majority of those are from their neighborhood.

Most of them are imported from China. Makes you wonder.

The first fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July occurred in 1777 in Philadelphia.

The first week of July is typically the busiest travel week of the year in the United States.

The favorite food for the 4th of July is the hot dog. America consumes about 150 million hot dogs on this holiday. Pass the Alka-Seltzer.

Thomas Lynch, Jr. was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence and Ben Franklin was the oldest.

On the second anniversary of Independence Day in 1778, American troops were fighting the American Revolutionary War.

During this time, George Washington ordered a double ration of rum for the American soldiers to celebrate the holiday with.

Bottoms Up.

There you have some trivia for your holiday weekend.

Enjoy celebrating the greatest nation in the world.

See you out there.