10. Only 2.5 million people were living in the newly created United States of America in July, 1776. Today, the population is an estimated 325.2 million.
9. The 4th of July is observed in some other countries as well. Since 1912, thousands of Danes have come to Rebild in northern Denmark to celebrate the 4th of July in what may be the largest celebration of America’s independence abroad. In addition the Philippines celebrate Republic Day gaining their independence from the US on July 4th, 1946.
8. The name of the seventh month of the year – July – was given by the Roman Senate in 46 B.C. in honor of emperor Julius Caesar.
7. On July 3, the hot and sultry Dog Days of Summer begins! Speaking of dogs, did you know that Americans consume around 150 million of the mystery meat tubes on the 4th of July each year.
6. Two days after the Second Continental Congress voted for independence from Britain in 1776, Congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. It was written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. It wasn't until August 2nd that the Declaration was officially signed. Delaware was the first state to independence from Britain.
5. Independence day wasn't an official holiday until almost 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 1938 it was changed to a paid federal holiday.
4. The month of July holds many celebrations, such as Canada Day, Parent Day, Chocolate Day and Moon Day.
3. The first test for the rabies vaccine was performed by French biologist, Louis Pasteur, in 1885 in the month of July. Not a licensed physician and facing potential prosecution, he treated 9-year old Joseph Meister on July 6th, after the boy was badly mauled by a rabid dog. 11 days and 13 administered inoculations later, young Joesph was found in good health.
2. Bikini's made their debut in 1948. French designer Louis Reard unveiled a daring two-piece swimsuit at the Piscine Molitor, a popular swimming pool in Paris. Parisian showgirl Micheline Bernardini modeled the new fashion, which Reard dubbed “bikini,” inspired by a news-making U.S. atomic test that took place off the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean earlier that week.
1. In 1978, space travel took great strides, and Neil Armstrong put the first footprints on the moon.
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