Five surprising facts about the Fourth of July
Five surprising facts about the Fourth of July
One colony didn't originally vote for independence.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.One colony didn't originally vote for independence.
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© American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn how chemical compounds, such as copper oxide, strontium chloride, and sodium silicate, determine the colors of fireworks.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; thumbnail © Tetra Images/Getty ImagesWhy fireworks?
News •
Tanzania deploys police and army to prevent Independence Day protests
• Dec. 11, 2025, 2:20 AM ET (Reuters)
Transcript
Fast Facts: 5 Fourth of July Facts You Didn't Know
1. Though Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July, the Continental Congress actually voted to separate from Great Britain on the 2nd… …but didn’t finish editing the Declaration of Independence until two days later.
2. Delegates from only 12 of the 13 colonies voted on the 2nd for independence from Great Britain; the New York delegation abstained that day but later in July also voted for independence.
3. Early Fourth of July activities were based on the British king’s birthday celebration, which was marked with bell ringing, bonfires, speeches, and parades.
4. The first few days after independence was declared, people in several towns held mock funerals for the king, whose “death” symbolized the end of tyranny.
5. As American leisure time increased, the Fourth of July became known for heavy drinking and injuries from fireworks.
In response, 19th-century and early 20th-century reformers created a “Safe and Sane Fourth of July” movement intended to curb Independence Day partying.
1. Though Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July, the Continental Congress actually voted to separate from Great Britain on the 2nd… …but didn’t finish editing the Declaration of Independence until two days later.
2. Delegates from only 12 of the 13 colonies voted on the 2nd for independence from Great Britain; the New York delegation abstained that day but later in July also voted for independence.
3. Early Fourth of July activities were based on the British king’s birthday celebration, which was marked with bell ringing, bonfires, speeches, and parades.
4. The first few days after independence was declared, people in several towns held mock funerals for the king, whose “death” symbolized the end of tyranny.
5. As American leisure time increased, the Fourth of July became known for heavy drinking and injuries from fireworks.
In response, 19th-century and early 20th-century reformers created a “Safe and Sane Fourth of July” movement intended to curb Independence Day partying.
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