This weekend we celebrate Independence Day or the Fourth of July in America. Whichever name you call it, here are a few fun facts about the holiday.
In 1958 Robert G. Heft, a 16-year-old student designed the 50-star flag as an assignment in his history class. The teacher gave him a B-, but when he submitted it to the contest, President Eisenhower chose his design. It became the official flag in 1960 (The teacher raised his grade to an A.) Read more of his story here.
Ages of the signers of the Declaration of Independence ranged from 26-70. The average age was 45. One signer later recanted. Learn who here.
The Phillipines also celebrate their independence on the 4th of July. They gained theirs in 1946. More interesting facts here.
The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is rung 13 times on the 4th of July for the 13 original states. It is struck with a mallet since the clapper was immobilized in 1915. More about the liberty bell here and here.
It wasn’t until after the war of 1812, that common celebrations of the holiday occurred. Lots of fun facts right here.
In typical American fashion, we make our holidays about food. In 2018 Americans ate $6.9 billion worth of food on the 4th of July. Fun facts here.
Our celebrations have everything to do with freedom. The spirit of the day is worth celebrating. An even bigger reason to celebrate–the biggest one every single day is because of our freedom in Christ.
Now the Lord[a] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. ~John 8:36 (NLT)
Copyright 2021, Lynn U. Watson
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Photo from Pixabay.