July 4^th is being celebrated in the U.S since 1776 and that’s a whopping 245 years now! Be it the carefree pre-pandemic days or the ongoing lockdown times the Independence Day revelry in all of America knows no bounds! From parade watching to fireworks to barbequing – the traditional festivities are commonplace in almost every house.

How did celebrations change in the post-pandemic era?

When it comes to making the most of your weekends, precisely, your Independence week, most Americans have any one of these roles to play – a big foodie, a movie freak, or one with a travel bug! Given the quarantine restrictions, you can’t afford to have an itchy foot, can you? July 4^th festivities post the virus outbreak, although reverberates the same patriotism and traditions, yet, has welcomed some obvious changes.

Celebrations and merrymaking are mostly home-bound now. However, it goes without mentioning that we have all welcomed the ‘change’ with magnanimous positivity! Instead of just sneaking inside the kitchen for a snack or two, we have all learned to play the ‘chef’s role’ – be it a regular or a twice-a-week affair! Foods and recipes will therefore be playing a pivotal role in this year’s 4^th of July festivities.

Few lesser-known facts on the history of July 4^th

The tradition of fireworks dates back to 1777!

1777 marks the first anniversary of Independence Day and it is that very year when Pennsylvania hosted a grand exhibition of fireworks on the Commons. The city too was spectacularly illuminated on the night of July 4^th. Firecrackers on July 4^th are, therefore, as old as the day itself.

New England celebrates July 4^th with salmon

Once, in the mid of summer, salmon was in abundance in the rivers. They automatically landed on the lunch and dinner tables in New England at that time. However, with time, although the quantity of Atlantic salmon fell hugely, that tradition of eating salmon with salt and seasonings on the Fourth remains the same.

The hot dog eating contest of Nathan began in 1916

Remember the hot dog eating contest in 2018 where Joey Chestnut had set a world record by eating 74 hot dogs in just 10 minutes? The contest dates back to the Independence Day of 1916! Any idea on the hot dog consumption statistics of Americans on July 4^th each year? As per the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, about 150 million hot dogs are consumed by Americans on the 4^th!

One of this 4^th of July firecrackers started the Great Fire of Portland

The Great Fire of Portland, Maine that broke out in 1866 originated from a firework display on July 4^th, 1866 on the first Independence Day after the American Civil War. It destroyed more than 1800 buildings including the Customs House, The Post Office, banks, etc. leaving 10,000 homeless!

Only 1 U.S president was born on July 4^th and three died on that date

Calvin Coolidge is the only president to be born on July 4^th. The date is July 4^th, 1872. On the other hand, 3 of the Presidents – Thomas Jefferson, Joh Adams, and James Monroe died on July 4^th. Would you believe this – Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were former U.S presidents who died only hours apart on July 4, 1826?

Talking of American Independence Day, time and again, we cannot fail to acknowledge that not all Americans gained freedom on the 4^th of July 1766! It wasn't until the 19^th of June 1856 (following the American Civil War) that the enslaved black people in America gained independence!