1. The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest started on this day in 1916 as a means to settle a dispute among immigrants as to who was the most patriotic.

2. The Bristol Fourth of July Parade in Rhode Island is the oldest continuous celebration in the country.

3. It is unclear as to whether or not Congress actually signed the Declaration on July 4. Most historians believe that it was signed about a month after its adoption, on August 2.

4. It wasn’t declared a national holiday until 1941.

5. The stars on the original American flag appeared in a circle so they would be “equal.”

6. It is estimated that 150 million hot dogs are consumed each year on this day.

7. But this wasn’t always the case: according to legend, John Adams and his wife Abigail ate turtle soup to celebrate in 1776.

8. It is not only Independence day for the U.S…. but also for the Philippines and Rwanda.

9. Some notable and/or political figures born on this day include: Malia Obama, George Steinbrenner, Neil Simon, Ron Kovic and Calvin Coolidge.

10. In a bizarre happenstance, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826.