Things You (Probably) Don't Know About the 4th of July
2020-07-04
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1The United States observes its Independence Day on July 4th.
2It normally includes massive public celebrations of music, fireworks and food in cities and towns across the country.
3This year, however, much of the country is avoiding large gatherings, or barring them.
4So, we are turning to the ghost of Independence Day past to note some lesser-known history of the holiday.
5This day will be remembered in American history, wrote John Adams in 1776.
6People will honor it with fireworks and celebrations.
7He was talking about the second of July.
8That is the day the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from the British.
9The colonies officially became self-ruling states.
10But the date written on the Declaration of Independence is July 4.
11So, since 1776, Americans have honored July 4 as the country's Independence Day.
12And July 2? Not so much.
13Adams went on to become the first vice-president of the United States of America and its second president.
14He observed many July 4th Independence Days right up until he died --- on July 4th, 1826.
15That same day, a few hours earlier, Adams' lifelong friend, opponent, former vice president, and third president, Thomas Jefferson, also died.
16It was the 50th anniversary of Independence Day.
17Five years later, James Monroe, the country's fifth president, also died on July 4.
18And one president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, in 1872.
19Most Americans celebrate Independence Day with barbecues, parades and, yes, fireworks.
20But a few celebrate by eating all the hot dogs they can.
21Every July 4th since the early 1970s, a restaurant called Nathan's Famous has held a competition to see who can eat the most hot dogs in ten minutes.
22The event involves 30 to 40 competitors divided by sex. Women face women. Men face men.
23The competition is held at Nathan's Famous in the Coney Island area of New York City.
24The 1916 restaurant grew over the years into a large food business, with many stores.
25The undeniable star eater at Nathan's is Joey Chestnut of California.
26The 36-year-old has won the men's championship 12 times, including last year.
27He also holds the Nathan's record for most hot dogs eaten in competition --- 74.
28New York native Miki Sudo is Nathan's Famous current women's champion.
29She has won the event six times, more than any other woman.
30But her opponent, South Korean-born Sonya Thomas has eaten more hot dogs at the event.
31Thomas set the record in 2011 downing 40 hot dogs in ten minutes.
32But, that record did not last long.
33Thomas returned to Nathan's the following year and ate 45.
34Nathan's is holding the hot dog eating competition again this Independence Day.
35The event is not open to the public because of COVID-19.
36But, it will be covered live on television and the web.
37So, let's go back to those fireworks, probably the most common image linked to Independence Day.
38Americans really, really love fireworks.
39The American Pyrotechnic Association - "pyrotechnic" is another word for "fireworks" - reported that Americans spent $1 billion on ordinary fireworks last year.
40And, the industry group said it also earned $375 million from sales of professional fireworks.
41But although fireworks are in popular use in America, they are rarely made in America.
42The huge majority is imported from China.
43And, most American flags are made there too!
44Happy Independence Day!
45I'm Caty Weaver.
1The United States observes its Independence Day on July 4th. 2It normally includes massive public celebrations of music, fireworks and food in cities and towns across the country. This year, however, much of the country is avoiding large gatherings, or barring them. 3So, we are turning to the ghost of Independence Day past to note some lesser-known history of the holiday. 4July what? 5This day will be remembered in American history, wrote John Adams in 1776. People will honor it with fireworks and celebrations. 6He was talking about the second of July. 7That is the day the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from the British. The colonies officially became self-ruling states. 8But the date written on the Declaration of Independence is July 4. So, since 1776, Americans have honored July 4 as the country's Independence Day. 9And July 2? Not so much. 10Patriotic to the end 11Adams went on to become the first vice-president of the United States of America and its second president. He observed many July 4th Independence Days right up until he died --- on July 4th, 1826. That same day, a few hours earlier, Adams' lifelong friend, opponent, former vice president, and third president, Thomas Jefferson, also died. 12It was the 50th anniversary of Independence Day. 13Five years later, James Monroe, the country's fifth president, also died on July 4. 14And one president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, in 1872. 15Nathan who? 16Most Americans celebrate Independence Day with barbecues, parades and, yes, fireworks. But a few celebrate by eating all the hot dogs they can. 17Every July 4th since the early 1970s, a restaurant called Nathan's Famous has held a competition to see who can eat the most hot dogs in ten minutes. The event involves 30 to 40 competitors divided by sex. Women face women. Men face men. 18The competition is held at Nathan's Famous in the Coney Island area of New York City. The 1916 restaurant grew over the years into a large food business, with many stores. 19The undeniable star eater at Nathan's is Joey Chestnut of California. The 36-year-old has won the men's championship 12 times, including last year. He also holds the Nathan's record for most hot dogs eaten in competition --- 74. 20New York native Miki Sudo is Nathan's Famous current women's champion. She has won the event six times, more than any other woman. 21But her opponent, South Korean-born Sonya Thomas has eaten more hot dogs at the event. Thomas set the record in 2011 downing 40 hot dogs in ten minutes. But, that record did not last long. Thomas returned to Nathan's the following year and ate 45. 22Nathan's is holding the hot dog eating competition again this Independence Day. The event is not open to the public because of COVID-19. But, it will be covered live on television and the web. 23Where do those fireworks come from? 24So, let's go back to those fireworks, probably the most common image linked to Independence Day. Americans really, really love fireworks. The American Pyrotechnic Association - "pyrotechnic" is another word for "fireworks" - reported that Americans spent $1 billion on ordinary fireworks last year. And, the industry group said it also earned $375 million from sales of professional fireworks. 25But although fireworks are in popular use in America, they are rarely made in America. The huge majority is imported from China. 26And, most American flags are made there too! 27Happy Independence Day! 28I'm Caty Weaver. 29Kelly Jean Kelly and Caty Weaver wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. 30________________________________________________________________ 31Words in This Story 32barbecue -n. to cook food, especially meat, outside over hot coals or an open fire 33hot dog -n. a small cooked sausage that is mild in flavor and is usually served in a long roll (called a hot dog bun) 34We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.