We don't need to verify that Americans love to celebrate the Fourth of July.
But, we can verify that some of the things taken as fact on this holiday aren't exactly true. We verify four facts on this Fourth of July.
Our source? The United States National Archives.
The holiday commemorates the founding fathers' declaration of independence from England in 1776.
First, Congress didn't actually vote for independence on July 4. The resolution was approved on July 2, and then adopted on the fourth. John Adams was notoriously angry that the fourth became the day for celebrations; insisting that it be on the second. He didn't win that battle.
Second, the Fourth of July didn't become an official holiday until more than a century after america declared its independence. It was declared a federal holiday in 1870 and it became a paid holiday for federal employees in 1941.
Third, why do we set off fireworks? It's a tradition that goes way back. According to the Smithsonian, in 1777 - one year after declaring independence - Philadelphia held a huge celebration, which included a parade, music, food, and fireworks. That first Fourth of July party actually ended with 13 fireworks being set off; one for every colony.
And fourth, Americans spend a lot of money to celebrate Independence Day. A survey on wallethub.com says we'll spend 6.8 billion dollars on food for our cookouts; with the top menu items being beef, chicken and pork.