10 Facts About the Fourth of July in Boston, MA

The Fourth of July is a special place to spend the Fourth of July because the city of Boston played a pivotal part in the American Revolution. The Fourth of July is celebrated throughout the country and the city of Boston has many festive activities. Here are ten facts that you may not know about the Fourth of July:

1. Boston was one of the first cities to light fireworks off on the 4th. Their first firework show was in 1777 over Boston Common. 
2. Boston resident John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence and he had the largest and most prominent signature which is where the term “John Hancock” referring to a signature came from. 
3. Paul Revere and Gov. Sam Adams laid the foundation for the Massachusetts State House in Boston on the Fourth of July in 1795 where they also buried a copper time capsule which was opened in 2014. 
4. Two of our Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on the 50th anniversary of when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1826.
5. The Continental Congress officially voted for independence on July 2nd but the document was formally dated on July 4th. John Adams wanted Independence Day to be celebrated on July 2nd. 
6. The Boston Pops Orchestra has been playing the Stars and Stripes Forever song at the end of their concerts since 1899. Arthur Fiedler started to include it in his concerts on the Charles River Esplanade in 1929 and to this day, it is still played. 
7. More hot dogs are eaten on July 4th than any other day during the year. It’s estimated 155 million hot dogs are eaten on this one day and they are the most common food item to eat at BBQs. 
8. On July 4th in 1778, George Washington ordered a double ration of Rum for his soldiers to celebrate. 
9. When the Declaration of Independence was signed there was an estimate of 2.5 million people living in the colonies, and today Boston has almost double that just in the city alone. 
10. Massachusetts was the first state to recognize the Fourth of July as a holiday. It was signed on July 3rd, 1781 and Congress designated the Fourth of July as a federal holiday on June 28ed, 1870.

Celebrating the Fourth of July in Boston, MA

Charles Riverboat Company loves to take part in the 4th of July festivities around Boston and Cambridge, MA. We are taking our vessels out on the water for special events around the holiday. For more information or to book a cruise, you can visit our website or call us at 617.621.3001. We are offering Harborfest Boat Parade & Firework Display Cruise on July 2nd and a special cruise to see the USS Constitution on July 4th.