Happy Birthday America! Fourth of July facts you may not know

It's America's birthday, and celebrations are occurring all across the country.

The Fourth of July marks the nation's birth after becoming independent from Great Britain.

Here are some fun facts put together by Fox News that you may not know about the holiday.

Independence was not declared on July 4.

Twenty-six original copies of the Declaration of Independence still exist.

George Washington’s reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1776, led to a riot in New York City, resulting in King George III’s statue being torn down.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and other documents were secretly stashed at Fort Knox for the duration of World War II.

Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence, but many of them never became famous.

The Fourth of July wasn’t made a federal holiday until 1870.

The first Fourth of July fireworks were in 1777.

The oldest Fourth of July parade is in the country's smallest state.

"July 4, 1776 is significant because that is the day Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence document," explained Fox News. "However, the second Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2."

"In a letter to his wife, Abigail, John Adams predicted that future generations would celebrate July 2 as Independence Day, saying, 'The second day of July, 1776, will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illumination, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.'"

You can read the full list of Fourth of July facts here.