How did Founding Fathers celebrate 4th of July? How many 4th of July fireworks explode each year? The trues and myths of the Independence Day.

Cookouts, fireworks, and, of course, a chance to wish Uncle Sam a big "happy birthday"—the 4th of July means summer in full swing across the United States and beyond. Such 4th of July festivities are as old as the United States itself.

Christmas wasn't an official holiday in America until 1870. The holiday might seem like an ancient tradition steeped in history, but it's much younger than you might think. Christmas didn't became an official federal holiday until June 26, 1870. The holiday mostly got its start in Pagan roots as an excuse for drunken revelry, which wasn't appealing to the strict Christian Puritans. Early in America's birth, some states started recognizing Christmas and a lobby started for a national holiday for Thanksgiving and Christmas to strengthen the nation's unity.