July 4th Trivia

Happy Independence Day

Here's some Independence Day trivia to help you celebrate our nation's birth.

• Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle.
• Over an estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed today. That's roughly 1 dog for every two people in the U.S.
  
• Oddly, 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 the flags, banners, decorations, and emblems.
• The first 4th of July party held at the White House was in 1801.
• The 4th of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941.
• John Hancock was the only person to actually sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The other 55 signers did not sign it until August 2nd or even later.
• When the United States became a country, there were approximately 2.5 million people living in the country. Today the population is around 304 million.
• Fireworks were invented in China in the 12th century to ward off evil spirits.
• 'The Star Spangled Banner' was written by Frances Scott Key and was originally set to the tune of an English drinking song.
• Calvin Coolidge, our nation's 30th president, was born on July 4th, 1872.
  
• The Liberty Bell sounded from the tower of Independence Hall on July 8, 1776, summoning citizens to gather for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.