7 Facts About <br />the 4th of July 1. The Declaration of Independence wasn't signed on July 4. July 4 was just the day the <br />Continental Congress adopted <br />the finalized document. 2. Massachusetts was the first <br />state to recognize the holiday. The state adopted the <br />holiday on July 3, 1781. 3. In New England, it's tradition to eat <br />salmon on the fourth of July. The dish is typically <br />paired with green peas. 4. There are about 15,000 <br />fireworks celebrations annually. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, <br />small towns spend between $8,000-$15,000, <br />while larger cities shell out millions. 6. The nation will eat <br />their fill of hot dogs. According to the National Hot Dog and <br />Sausage Council, approximately 150 million hot dogs <br />will be consumed on the Fourth of July. 7. Americans will spend <br />billions on food and booze. The National Retail Federation <br />estimates $7.1 billion <br />will be spent on food. The Beer Institute thinks <br />$1 billion will be spent on beer and <br />$450 million will be spent on wine.
