Americans love to celebrate the United States' birthday with family get-togethers, grilled food and flashy fireworks. This year, impress your friends and family with these tidbits of trivia about the nation's independence.

Swipe through to learn fascinating facts about Independence Day.

Founding Father and the second U.S. president John Adams wrote a now-famous letter to his wife, Abigail Adams, on July 3, 1776, saying that July 2 would be celebrated as a “great anniversary Festival.” He wrote, “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with … Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other...”

In honor of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1778, commander of the Continental Army George Washington gave his Revolutionary War troops a double ration of rum. He also ordered a celebratory cannon salute.

Philadelphia hosted the very first Independence Day fireworks show in 1777. The extravaganza also included cannons firing and bells ringing. To this day, the Liberty Bell is ceremoniously tapped 13 times—in honor of the original colonies—each Fourth of July.

Three presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence died on July 4. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died within hours of each other on July 4, 1826. James Monroe died five years later on July 4, 1831. Conversely, our 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, 1872.

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The American Pyrotechnics Association says there are about 16,000 July Fourth “official” fireworks displays each year in cities and towns around the country. Gatherings that were halted during the pandemic years have returned as people come back out to celebrate.