The Real Facts About the 4th…and Some Opinions

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It’s time to celebrate some very real freedom throughout the country and the Auto Industry as we debunk a few myths and get down to the real data about one of our favorite holidays. 

Show Notes with links:

• Fun 4th facts:
  • $9.5 Billion: Amount Americans plan to spend on 4th of July food.
  • 150 Million: Number of hot dogs eaten each 4th of July.
  • $3 Billion: Amount Americans plan to spend on 4th of July beer and wine.
  • $2.7 Billion: Estimated amount spent on fireworks in 2022 (74% of fireworks injuries occur within a month of July 4).
  • $6.5 Million: Value of American flags imported annually.
  • 50.7 Million: Number of people who travel 50+ miles from home for the 4th of July (up 4% over 2022 and setting a new record for the holiday).
• Independence Day Inaccuracies: 
  • Misconception about the July 4th date: It's commonly believed that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, which marks the United States' independence from Britain. In reality, the Second Continental Congress approved the independence resolution on July 2nd, 1776. The Declaration of Independence was mostly signed on August 2nd during a special ceremony. July 4th is the date the declaration was adopted and when printers started circulating it, hence the reason it's celebrated on this day.
  • The Liberty Bell didn't crack on July 4th, 1776: Contrary to popular belief, the Liberty Bell, named so by 19th-century abolitionists, did not crack on the day the colonies declared their independence. The bell first cracked over 20 years prior to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. The most iconic crack, visible today, actually occurred in 1846 when an attempt to repair an earlier crack failed.
  • Misinterpretations from 'National Treasure': The movie 'National Treasure' popularized the idea that there's a hidden map or secret messages on the Declaration of Independence. However, this is not true. The only message on the back is a simple note: "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776." The film did not use the actual interior of the National Archives for filming, nor the real Declaration of Independence, only a reproduction.

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