On Sunday, our staff at Just Orthodontics will help celebrate America's 234th birthday. Here are some fun facts about Independence Day we know you'll enjoy! Enjoy the rest of the week and have a GREAT Fourth of July weekend everyone!!- Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.
- The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation, which meant that people didn't want to be taxed by a government that did not represent them.
- America's first official flag was raised in 1777 and had 13 stars and 13 stripes, representing the 13 original colonies.
- In 1941, Congress declared 4th of July a federal legal holiday. It is one of the few federal holidays that have not been moved to the nearest Friday or Monday.
- America's mascot, the bald eagle, can achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour when making a predatory dive. During a normal flight, bald eagles can travel up to 30 miles per hour.
- Someone who specializes in the history of flags is called a vexillologist.
- The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’
- According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume over 150 million hot dogs during their Independence Day festivities.
- Speaking of food, there's a 1-in-6 chance the beef on your backyard grill will come from the great state of Texas. The Lone Star State is America's leader in the production of cattle and calves.



