Happy 4th of July!
Credit: A Million to One
Today we celebrate the birth of the good ol’ U.S. of A. And besides running through the sprinkler and noshing on watermelon, we thought we’d take this day of firework greatness to give our brains a workout, too. Below is some great 4th of July party trivia that will amaze your friends, family, neighbors and really anyone you come into contact with. Read on to become the coolest and most knowledgeable chick or dude at the holiday BBQ!
Fun 4th of July Trivia and Facts
Gobble Gobble. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle. We love turkey, but are glad Franklin lost this one.
Hot-Diggity, Hot-Doggity. More than an estimated 150 million hot dogs will be eaten today. That’s roughly one dog for every two people in the U.S. When you think of it that way: Sick.
Live It. Thirty cities nationwide have “liberty” in their name. Liberty, Missouri, boasts the highest population of all of them. Iowa has more of these places than any other state with Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.
Blow It Up. More than $211 million is spent each year on imported fireworks from China.
Here’s the Irony. The majority of the nation’s flags and patriotic paraphernalia in relation to the 4th of July is produced in China. Nearly $349 million dollars are used each year to import in flags, banners, decorations and emblems.
I Want You! The origin of Uncle Sam probably began in 1812, when Samuel Wilson was a meat packer who provided meat to the U.S. Army. The meat shipments were stamped with the initials “U.S.” Someone joked that the initials stood for “Uncle Sam.” This joke eventually led to the idea of Uncle Sam symbolizing the United States government.
Late Start. The 4th of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941. Wonder what the hold up was? Fourth of July parties are the best!
Grab a Beer. The U.S. national anthem is actually set to the tune of an old English drinking song called “The Anacreontic Song.” Anacreontic was a Greek poet. (I know ’cause I Wikipedia-ed it.)