photo credit: fredseibert

Born on the Fourth of July:

Calvin Coolidge
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Ann Landers
Geraldo Rivera
Neil Simon
John Waite
Leona Helmsley

(cue Twilight Zone music)

Found via Encarta: 1826: Fifty years to the day after the approval of the Declaration of Independence, which they both had a hand in drafting, former presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die on the same day.

Other interested July fourth facts:

There are fifty-six signatures on the constitution.

The American national anthem, the “Star-Spangled Banner,” is set to the tune of an English drinking song (”To Anacreon in Heaven”).

Historical research has failed to confirm Betsy Ross sewed the first flag.

In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation: 2.5 million

The nation’s population on this July Fourth, 2008: 304 million

July 4th Quotes:

I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance. –John Adams

There, I guess King George will be able to read that. –John Hancock

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –Thomas Jefferson

Have a great July 4th!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4