Published Date 7/1/16 5:01 AM
While we tend to associate Independence Day with fireworks, barbecues, and parades, it wasn't always celebrated that way. Back in 1776, some colonists commemorated the day by holding mock funerals for King George the III to symbolize the country's independence from the monarchy. Times have certainly changed, haven't they?
Keep reading to learn other fun facts about one of America's favorite national holidays:
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Independence Day Is One of Our Booziest Holidays. On July 4th, beer sales are greater than $1 billion. Alcohol began to be associated with this holiday when George Washington issued his soldiers double rations of rum on the 4th to celebrate the country's independence.
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It's Also a Big Day for Hot Dogs. So many hot dogs are consumed on the 4th that you could stretch them out from DC to Los Angeles 5 times and still have some hot dogs left over!
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If You Want to Eat Traditional Fare on the 4th, Opt for Turtle Soup. While hot dogs, ribs, and burgers are what we typically eat on Independence Day, that's not how the holiday was initially celebrated. According to Delish.com, rather than firing up grills, traditional Americans would get out their turtle-catching nets so they could make turtle soup.
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July 4th is Also the Date of Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Legend has it that this tradition began because 4 immigrants got into an argument over who was the most patriotic. To prove their patriotism, they each ate as many hot dogs as they could.
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Most Countries Celebrate Some Type of Independence Day. Independence Day isn't just celebrated here at home, it's also celebrated throughout the world. Many countries celebrate a similar holiday with different traditions. While we grill out and watch fireworks on the 4th, Mexicans celebrate with rodeos and bullfights on September 16th, whereas Indonesians climb greased palm trees to win prizes hung from trees on August 17th.
This concludes our fun 4th facts. We hope you have a safe, enjoyable holiday.
Happy 4th of July from Scisbo!