4th of July: 5 fun facts about the American Independence Day

For example, two Presidents actually died on the same July 4th.

249 years

That’s how long the United States of America have existed as of today, 4th of July 2025.

Started with 13 colonies

Today, the US consists of 50 states with Hawaii being the most recently admittet (August 21st 1959).

But when the US declared independence in 1776, it consisted of 13 colonies, which later became known as the 13 founding states.

Time to learn something new

But even though American Independence Day has been celebrated for more than two centuries, there’s a lot of misunderstandings regarding the landmark event.

For example: Independence wasn’t declared on July 4th …

Independence Was Declared on July 2, Not July 4

Although the Declaration of Independence is celebrated on July 4th, the Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2, 1776.

John Adams even predicted July 2 would be remembered as America’s big holiday.

The Declaration Took a While to Sign

While the document is dated July 4, most of the 56 signers didn’t actually sign it until August 2, 1776.

It took time to get all the delegates in one place and prepare a clean copy for signatures.

Fireworks Have Been Part of the Tradition Since 1777

The first organized 4th of July fireworks display took place in Philadelphia in 1777—just one year after independence.

The city celebrated with bonfires, bells, and fireworks, kicking off a tradition that still dazzles today.

Not Everyone Agreed With Independence

Roughly one-third of American colonists were Loyalists, who remained faithful to the British Crown.

Some fled to Canada or Britain during and after the war, and tensions lingered for decades.

Two Presidents Died on the Same July 4

In an extraordinary coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson—founding fathers and former presidents—died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Both died of natural causes.