Happy birthday America!

Today is one of our great holidays for a couple of good reasons.

The 4th of July means that we are now in the thick of summer.  For me, and most of you, that's a really good thing.  Most of all, today is the day to happily celebrate the birthday of our great country.

I'm sure you've noticed today is starting out a bit damp.  Hopefully the showers will move out in time for our barbeques and tonight's fireworks displays.

As always, New Jersey 101.5 will have instant weekend weather every 15 minutes to keep you updated.

As a custom on the Fourth of July I dig up some trivia about America.  I'll keep the tradition going for 2015.

* Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence signed the document on August 2, 1776.  Only two signed it on July 4th.

* One U.S. president was born on July 4th.  Our 30th president, Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4th 1872.

* July 4th did not become a legal holiday until 1938.

* Irving Berlin who wrote "God Bless America" didn't really care for the song.  He kept it filed away for twenty years until singer, Kate Smith wanted a patriotic song to sing on the radio when World War Two broke out.

* The United States flag has the colors red, white, and blue representing bravery and valor.

* Benjamin Franklin proposed that the wild turkey be the national bird.  He was overruled by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson who suggested the bald eagle.  Wild Turkey is now found at liqueur stores.

* In 1776 the population of the United States was about 2.5 million.  Today it's estimated at almost 314 million.

And, the 4th of July is one of the few federal holidays that are not observed on the nearest Friday or Monday.

Have a safe and happy holiday as you enjoy the  "4th of July Party Hits Weekend" on New Jersey 101.5!