Independence Day in the U.S.A.

Good ol' Independence Day, the 4th of July, America's Birth Day; whatever you call it, July 4th is Independence Day here in the United States of America, and is one of the biggest celebrated holidays of the year. This day marks when the Declaration of Independence gained approval from the Continental Congress in 1776, officially starting the process of the United States of America becoming a sovereign nation. Fireworks, picnics, barbecues, baseball games, parades, carnivals, and other festivities annually mark this occasion.

Keep a look out for lots of red, white, and blue this Friday, and even throughout the weekend. Patriotic promotional t-shirts, promotional American Flag Pins, and other patriotic promotional items are common gifts from organizations and companies, because they are an excellent way to show patriotism and American pride this and every July 4th.

Here are some facts about July 4th and its history:
-There were an estimated 2.5 million people living in the United States in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved.
-Last year, $207 million of fireworks were imported from China, most of which were used for celebrating Independence Day.
-The annual value of shipments of patriotic materials is $349.2 million, according to the 2002 Economic Census.
-Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, was actually born in Plymouth, Vermont on July 4th, 1872.
-The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rang out on July 8th, 1776 to announce the reading of the Declaration of Independence.
-John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only U.S. Presidents to have signed the Declaration of Independence, died on July 4, 1826 at their homes. President Monroe died on July 4, 1831.
-The first anniversary of July 4th, in 1777, was marked with 13 gunshots at morning and night - signifying the 13 original colonies.

First photo courtesy of Creativity + Timothy K Hamilton's Flickr Photostream.
Second photo courtesy of Albert Valentino.