Independence Day Trivia

-

 


America’s Independence Day is right around the corner. It is a time of celebration for many in the U.S., with grand fireworks displays and tasty backyard cookouts. While you’re celebrating this year, it might be fun to have some facts about the holiday to bring up in conversation. Here are just a few bits of trivia about this holiday:


  1. Fireworks have been a 4th of July tradition since the very beginning, being fired during the first organized celebration in Philadelphia in 1777.

  2. July 4th is the biggest hot dog holiday in the United States. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume around 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day.

  3. John Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. He was the only U.S. president to be born on Independence Day.

  4. Conversely, there have been two presidential deaths on July 4: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the 50th observance of Independence Day in 1826, within hours of each other.

  5. Alongside New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, Independence Day became one of the first federal holidays in 1870.

  6. Independence Day could have been on July 2nd if John Adams got his way. This was when the Second Continental Congress declared it would be separating from England.

  7. The U.S.’s iconic national anthem, Star-Spangled Banner, was originally adapted from a British song, The Anacreontic Song, which was the official song of the Anacreontic Society, an 18th-century gentlemen's club of amateur musicians in London.


Looking to learn even more about this holiday, or just the history of the United States in general? We here at the Grayslake Library are here to help. Browse the recommended reads for adult and youth readers below, or ask one of our expert staff members to help you find the right book for you.


Adult Titles:


The Words That Made Us by Akhil Reed Amar


Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution by Mike Duncan


Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow


Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin by Jill Lepore


1776 by David McCullough


Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis


Rise to Rebellion by Jeff Shaara


Youth Titles:


Lady Liberty’s Holiday by Jen Arena


How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A. by Marjorie Priceman


Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus


We Came to America by Faith Ringgold


My Fourth of July by Jerry Spinelli


The Night Before the Fourth of July by Natasha Wing


Answering the Cry for Freedom by Gretchen Woelfle


Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers


Hoopla July 4th Ebook Collection for Kids


Like this blog post? Let us know by clicking the Kudos button below!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Juneteenth

-
Image
  Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an annual observance of June 19, 1865. On this day, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved persons in the southern states were freed two and half years ago by the Emancipation Proclamation. The fact that it took this long for news to reach the South is indicative of the complex and oppressive nature of slavery. Nonetheless, June 19 soon became a day of celebration in Texas, and as the years went on, the rest of the United States joined in the jubilation. It has become a nationwide opportunity to honor African American heritage and freedom and was finally made a federal holiday by President Biden in 2021. Commemorate Juneteenth with us! Listed below are a number of reading recommendations for children, teens, and adults that teach you more about Juneteenth and the experiences of African Americans as a whole. Check out Hoopla’s Juneteenth Collection with your Grayslake librar
Read more

Autism Awareness Month

-
Image
  As we observe Autism Awareness Month this April, we understand that it is crucial to foster acceptance, understanding, and support for individuals on the autism spectrum. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that manifests in many different ways, varying from person to person, resulting in a wide range of unique perspectives and experiences. This month serves as an opportunity to celebrate the stories of people with autism around the world. Let’s join together in raising awareness and nurturing an inclusive community. Below is a number of selections of books for various ages that can be used to educate and entertain, with an emphasis on characters and authors who are neurodiverse. Youth Picture Books with Characters Who Are Neurodiverse Youth Books with Characters Who Are Neurodiverse Youth Books on the Topic of the Autism Spectrum/Neurodivergence Youth Books by Authors Who Are Neurodiverse Teen Books with Characters Who Are Neurodiverse Teen Books by Authors Who Are Neurodiver
Read more

Sounds of Summer

-
Image
  Hoopla-palooza Have you ever heard the expression "the soundtrack of my life" - the idea that certain songs we hear in our adolescence can have a profound impact on us? We all have those tunes that make us feel alive, and seeing artists live in concert creates a core memory. And let's be real, nothing beats summer concerts and now that the weather is warm again it’s the perfect time to create summer playlists! If you need help reconnecting with songs from your past or need new songs to get excited about, we have hundreds of albums to check out in our collection and even more songs streaming through the Hoopla app. Whether you’re headed to Lollapalooza , Bonnaroo , Summerfest , Pitchfork Music Festival , Riotfest , or just staying local and headed to Grayslake bars and restaurants our collection can help you build the perfect summer soundtrack.  Our music collection has got you covered with over 8000 CDs! From Pop to Rock, Soundtracks to Jazz, and everything in between,
Read more