The Fourth of July is not only celebrated in the United States, but it is also marked with various traditions, facts, and impacts, ranging from changes to the U.S. flag to its economic effects.
Fun Facts: The U.S. flag has undergone 27 changes from 1777 to 1960, particularly to the stars reflecting the number of states.
* The number of stars must match the U.S. states according to a law from 1818, with new stars added each July 4th following a state admission. The latest was for Hawaii in 1959.
Global Celebrations: The Fourth of July is also celebrated in countries such as Denmark, Norway, Ireland, and Sydney, Australia.
* In Denmark, for instance, the Rebild Festival is observed with a picnic and music and attracts tens of thousands of individuals.
Economic Impact: Independence Day is a significant day for consumer spending.
* It is estimated that Americans will spend about $9.5 billion on food alone this year. Moreover, in 2022, there was $2.3 billion spent on fireworks.
Patriotism Levels: A 2022 Gallup poll noted a decrease in American patriotism.
* The poll found that only 38% of Americans consider themselves extremely proud to be Americans, despite the National Retail Federation reporting that 87% of Americans plan to mark Independence Day this year.
Health Concerns: Fireworks displays during Independence Day can significantly worsen air quality and increase injuries.
* With ongoing air quality issues due to Canadian wildfires, there are concerns about how large fireworks displays can contribute to deteriorated air quality.
* Also, U.S. emergency rooms see rise in injuries during the Fourth. Of the 10,200 people injured by fireworks in 2022, 73% of those injuries happened in the one month surrounding the holiday.
Different Dates: There is a debate about whether Independence Day should be celebrated on July 2.
* Although the Continental Congress voted on independence on July 2, 1776, the Declaration of Independence document was not approved until July 4, 1776. Hence, John Adams argued that the official holiday should be July 2.
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