Here are three fun facts about Independence Day to throw out while grilling, relaxing and waiting for the fireworks to begin on Tuesday night.

1. Independence Day wasn't officially declared on July 4th. While July 4th is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States, the Continental Congress actually declared independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. The Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted on July 4th, but it took several more weeks for the document to be finalized and signed by all the delegates.

2. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4th. Two of the most prominent Founding Fathers and signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died on July 4, 1826. Remarkably, they passed away within hours of each other, exactly 50 years after the Declaration was adopted. Their deaths on the same day, which happened to be Independence Day, have often been seen as a remarkable coincidence.

3. The Liberty Bell, a famous symbol of American independence, has not been rung on Independence Day since 1846. The bell, which is located in Philadelphia, developed a large crack that grew over time, making it unsuitable for ringing. To preserve its historical significance, the Liberty Bell is now tapped gently 13 times every July 4th, representing the original 13 colonies of the United States.