Fun Facts

The 13 Colonies were

Connecticut Delaware Georgia Maryland Massachusetts Bay New Hampshire New Jersey

New York North Carolina Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Virginia

1801- The first public Fourth of July reception at the White House occured

1804- The first Fourth of July celebration west of the Mississippi occured at Independence Creek and was celebrated by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark

1805- Boston has its first fireworks display; in Charleston, S.C., the American Revolution Society and the Society of the Cincinnati meet at St. Philips Church

1876- Centennial celebrations (many are three-day celebrations, 3-5 July) occur throughout the United States and abroad

1884- The formal presentation of the Statue of Liberty takes place in the Gauthier workshop in Paris

1887- First Fourth of July celebration in Yellowstone National Park takes place

1912- The new national flag with 48 stars is "formally and officially endowed"

1926- The 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence takes place throughout the nation

1960- The 50th-star American flag waves for the first time as Hawaii is given statehood

1976- The nation's Bicentennial occurs.

Betsy Ross sewed it, but who designed the first U.S. flag? The answer, according to the experts at the Betsy Ross house, is that it was possibly designed by Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

The stars on the flag were in a circle so that no one colony would be viewed above another. It is reported that George Washington said, "Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a new constellation in the heavens."

Betsy Ross prayed in the pew next to George Washington and was a niece of George Ross, so it's not hard to believe that the members of the Flag Committee formed by the Continental Congress would call upon Betsy Ross to make the flag.

Did you know that the words "Under God" weren't added until 1954 to the Pledge of Allegiance?

One lucky Philadelphian purchased a $4.00 picture at a flea market. What they found behind the picture was an original 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence. It was sold to TV producer Norman Lear for 8.1 million.

Every 4th of July the Liberty Bell is tapped - not actually rung.

Patriotic Songs
Songs with music and words so you can join in a family sing-a-long
Johnny Cash Patriotic Songs
His political statements in song, Ragged Old Flag...and more
The Pledge of Allegiance by Red Skelton
Red is going to explain the true meaning of each word. Listen to him speaking carefully, as it'll deeply touch your heart
John Wayne Talks about America
He became the very embodiment of American values and patriotic pride. Listen, he will make you proud..
The Declaration of Independence
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Find out here.
The Pledge of Allegiance
Facts about our Pledge of Allegiance
She's a Grand Ole Flag
Facts about our flag.
Displaying Old Glory
Do you know what days to display our flag and the proper rules for flying and handling the flag?
President Reagan's Remarks at the U.S. Ranger Monument
Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion,.Speech delivered at the U.S. Ranger Monument at Pointe du Hoc, France, veterans of the Normandy Invasion, and others, had assembled for the ceremony.
President Bush's Prayer Service Speech
September 14, 2001, 2:02 PM EDT
Bill of Rights
The ten amendments and why they are so very important to us today.
Our Nation's Presidents
A list of our presidents.
Fourth of July Recipes
Do you need a last minute idea?
Interesting Facts about This Great Country
All kinds of facts.
Famous Quotes
About liberty, freedom and patriotism.