Happy 4th of July!

This 4^th of July, Americans all over will be cooking out, partying on boats, or attending parades to honor the 240^th Independence Day of the U.S.A. While steaks and fireworks make for the ultimate 4^th of July, we wanted to share a few pieces of trivia you may not have heard about the U.S. Independence Day.

• Much to some people’s dismay, July 2^nd is the actual Independence Day, but Americans celebrate the day on July 4^th since that is the day Congress accepted Jefferson’s declaration.

• Three presidents have passed away on America’s Independence Day - John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe.

• The 4^th of July was announced as a federal holiday in 1870 and Congress again declared the holiday in the 1930s to make sure workers received full pay on that day.

• The Declaration of Independence was first printed in the Pennsylvania Evening Post.

• Americans have come to expect fireworks on the 4^th of July each year, possibly because that was precisely how Congress celebrated the first anniversary of accepting of the Declaration of Independence. In 1977, fireworks were presented along with bonfires and bells.

• You can thank Thomas Jefferson for including “the pursuit of happiness” – originally it was “the pursuit of property.”

• America should recognize China for their 4^th of July supplies – More than 85% of imported U.S. flags and more than 90% of imported fireworks are from China.

Happy 4^th of July from Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts!