1. The Fourth of July–also known as Independence Day–is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was with this document that the Continental Congress announced that the 13 American colonies regarded themselves a new nation called the United States of America and were no longer part of the British Empire.
2. U.S. retailers sold fireworks worth $369.4 million in 2014.
3. Americans will spend an estimated $6.8 billion on food for the July 4 holiday weekend in 2016.
4. A toast to America! More than 68 million cases of beer will be sold over the July 4 holiday.
5. Joey Chestnut holds the all-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest record, which he set 7/4/2013 by taking down 69 hot dogs in ten minutes.
