America turns 250: Everything you didn’t know about American independence

America actually declared independence on July 2, 1776, when Congress voted in favour of the resolution. Only two men, John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed the official Declaration of Independence on July 4, with most delegates signing nearly a month later on August 2, 1776. Here are some more facts about and related to American Independence. (unsplash)

Presidential Coincidences: Three U.S. presidents; John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe, all died on the 4th of July. Both Adams and Jefferson passed away exactly 50 years to the day after the Declaration's adoption in 1826. Conversely, Calvin Coolidge is the only president ever born on the holiday, born in 1872. (wikimedia commons)

The First Declaration Printing: The first newspaper to ever print the text of the Declaration of Independence was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. (facebook: senator doug mastriano)

The Real "Laptop": Thomas Jefferson famously drafted the Declaration of Independence on a portable wooden writing desk that could fit in his lap, often referred to as his "laptop". (facebook: rally for america tea party)

Hot Dog Consumption: Americans eat around 150 million hot dogs on the 4th of July alone, which could stretch from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles several times over. (unsplash)

Liberty Bell Tap: Instead of ringing the Liberty Bell, descendants of the Declaration’s original signers gently tap it 13 times every Independence Day to honour the 13 original colonies. (wikipedia)

The Oldest Parade: The oldest, continuous Independence Day celebration takes place in Bristol, Rhode Island, an annual event that officially began in 1785. (wikimedia commons)