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The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is day that Americans celebrate their independence from English rule and sovereignty. However, as a day off from most jobs, barbecues, pool parties, fireworks and beer many have forgotten the true observance of the holiday and none of us have known an America that was under any other ruling. Also, many facts about the holiday are unknown as well.

Independence Day actually commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 but the day was not declared a legal holiday until 1941. Long after anyone remembers being under English rule.

Fireworks are a common site on the 4th of July, but they are not an American invention. They were first created in China as early as the 11th century.

Uncle Sam was never a real person but was first popularized in the War of 1812. It is derived from the initials U.S. for the United States that was stamped on supplies. Soldiers referred to the supplies and goods as coming from "Uncle Sam." The first visual representation of Uncle Sam came in 1832 and in 1961 he was adopted as a national symbol.

The United States Flag is a common and recognizable symbol. There are many rules for its storage, destruction and display. It is actually illegal to destroy or display it in any way other than the government regulations.

There is also no confirmed proof that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag.

Not everyone was supportive of the forma Declaration of Independence but those supporting it were very dedicated to it. One representative of the Continental Congress rode 80 miles on horseback to reach Philadelphia to break a tie in supports of independence.

There were 2 other versions of the Liberty Bell that were defective and had to be melted down and recast. The version we have now rang every 4th of July from 1778 to 1839 where it cracked as it was being tolled for the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.

Every American knows the national anthem, the "Star-Spangled Banner" and has heard the story of its creation. However, not every American knows it was set to the tune of an English drinking song titled "To Anacreon in Heaven." With this in mind, maybe beer is patriotic after all. In addition to this, the patriotic poem "America the Beautiful" was first published on July 4th, 1895 by Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates.

It is said that more than 66 million people participate in a barbecue or cookout for the 4th of July and consuming about 150 million hot dogs. More than 128.8 million dollars worth of fireworks are imported from China in the year 2002 and 164.2 million in 2004.

The flag is nicknamed "Old Glory" or sometimes referred to as "the stars and stripes." The 50 stars represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes of red and white represent the original 13 colonies. This holiday is referred to as Independence Day, the 4th, July 4th or the 4th of July. Most state and county agencies observe this day and close their doors.

Source: www.census.gov
www.intern etfamilyfun.com/holidays/fourt hofjuly/4thjulyfacts.htm
www.ge ocities.com/starchaser-m/fourt hofjuly/funstuff.html
http://en carta.msn.com/encnet/features/ lists/?article=fourthofjuly