The 4th of July

Most of us know the story behind Independence Day, commonly known as the 4th of July. It’s the day that the 13 colonies gained their independence from Great Britain and formed the United States. This 4th of July we’ve highlighted some fun facts about the holiday as well as a few recipes that you can try at home.

• Independence Day almost was on July 2nd. The Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress on July 2, 1776, but it had to be revised and that version was not adopted until July 4th.
• It wasn’t until 1941 that July 4th was declared a national holiday.
• July 4th isn’t always a day of celebration. The presidents, James Monroe, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson all died on the fourth of July. Interestingly enough both Jefferson and Adams died in 1826 within a few hours of one another. Monroe didn’t die until 1831.
• When the colonies gained their independence there were only around 2.5 million residents. Today roughly 317 million people live there.
• It’s estimated that about 14,000 different professional firework shows can be seen on July 4th.
• The 4th of July isn’t a day just to stay at home. Around 41 million people celebrate it at a friend or family’s house.
• When it comes to 4th of July food the most popular main dish are hotdogs. Around 155 million hot dogs are consumed on this day.

We know on Independence Day that you are probably going to have a hot dogs. Here are a few different ways to top your hotdog that will make it a little bit tastier.

The Healthy Dog
Forget the ketchup and mustard for this hotdog. Put a little bit of spicy mayo on the bun. Then put sliced cucumbers on the side between the hotdog and bun. Top it with some shredded carrots.

The Meat Lovers Dog
While things like relish and onion are great on hotdogs, nothing can beat a little meat. First put any of your favorite lunchmeat, like salami or ham, onto the hotdog. Then add some bacon and top it with a little bit of steak sauce.

The Pizza Dog
Why should you have to choose between a pizza and a hotdog when you can combine the two? First spread some marina sauce on the bun. Then put some pepperoni on the hotdog, followed by a slice of provolone cheese. Heat it all up in the microwave for about 15 seconds and enjoy.

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