Happy Conception Day!!!

In our family the 4th of July holds an additional importance to the conception of our great nation, it was also the day that my parents conceived me. I know, gross - how many kids know the day they were conceived - my parents always joked I was their little firecracker - red hair and blue eyes and all....but reality is that as weird as it is to know the day you were conceived - it is kind of cool to know that you were conceived on the anniversary of the conception of our great country. We are a blessed nation, a nation that stands for freedom. I still get tears in my eyes when I hear the song "Proud to be an American" - we are one of the very few nations in the world that have so many national symbols and such a strong level of patriotism.....its kinda cool - just remember that we are unique....

In honor of this wonderful conception day, I am providing 10 cool facts about our country - courtesy of the US Census Bureau.

1. Independence Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. However, it was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.

2. Fireworks were made in China as early as the 11th century. The Chinese used their pyrotechnic mixtures for war rockets and explosives.

3. Uncle Sam was first popularized during the War of 1812, when the term appeared on supply containers. Believe it or not, the U. S. Congress didn't adopt him as a national symbol until 1961.

4. There are many precise rules for taking care of the American flag. And speaking of flag traditions, we're sorry to report that contrary to legend, historical research has failed to confirm that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag.

5. Not all members of the Continental Congress supported a formal Declaration of Independence, but those who did were passionate about it. One representative rode 80 miles by horseback to reach Philadelphia and break a tie in support of independence.

6. The first two versions of the Liberty Bell were defective and had to be melted down and recast. The third version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1835, when, according to tradition, it cracked as it was being tolled for the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.

7. The American national anthem, the "Star-Spangled Banner," is set to the tune of an English drinking song ("To Anacreon in Heaven").

8. The iron framework of the Statue of Liberty was devised by French engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who also built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

9. The patriotic poem "America the Beautiful" was published on July 4, 1895 by Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates.

10. Father of the country and architect of independence George Washington held his first public office at the tender age of 17. He continued in public service until his death in 1799.