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July Birthday Facts and Trivia

Jeanne Benedict
Celebrations Expert

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Julius Caesar was born in the month of July, and therefore the modern calendar honors him with this month as his namesake. July is perhaps the only month named after a real person as many are titled for gods and goddesses. However, the Caesar Salad, which many attribute to the great Roman leader was named after an Italian chef who worked in San Diego, CA and Tijuana. Chef Caesar whipped up the greens with tasty "found" kitchen ingredients on a busy night in a restaurant. Coincidentally, that night was on the 4th of July!July Birthstone: Ruby

The ruby is considered one of the four precious stones: ruby, sapphire, emerald, and diamond. Actually, the only trait that distinguishes a ruby from a sapphire, both corundum minerals, is the element chromium oxide, which gives this passioante birthstone its red color.

Those looking for high-quliaty rubies often defer to its color with a "pigeon blood red" being one of the most prized tones, but this gemstone can vary from pinks to deep reds.

Not only is the ruby July's birthstone, it is also the gem that marks 40th wedding anniversaries and the Zodiac sign Capricorn.

For a stunning example of this gemstone, visit The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History where a 23.1-carat Burmese ruby ring sits waiting for the luckiest finger in the world! The largest ruby, however, is owned by a Chinese jewelry company and weighs just over 40 carats!

July Zodiac Signs: Cancer and Leo

The two Zodiac signs for the month of July are Cancer (June 21 - July 20) and Leo (July 21-August 22).

The Zodiac sign Cancer is symbolized by a crab because "cancer" translates to "crab" in Latin. Those born under this water sign are said to be intuitive and imaginative with an emotional and shy side as well.

A lion is the glyph for Leo; an appropriate and alliterative symbol for this Zodiac sign. This fire sign is said to breed those who are courageous and creative with a pompous side that needs to be kept in check.

For centuries, Zodiac signs have been used as a compass for one's personality and path in life. Some follow the sign posts while other pave their own way. As for me, I like to explore uncharted territory!

July Fun Facts:

On July 4th, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Second Continental Congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence and that is why we celebrate the holiday on this day.

July 2nd, 1776 was when the vote to adopt the Declaration of Independence actually took place. Here's the final tally: 2 colonies, Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted nay; Delaware was undecided; New York abstained; 9 colonies voted yay, and that would be a big yes in favor of freedom!

Over 150 years later in 1941, Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday. Every year since freedom was first declared in 1776 people have celebrated with firecrackers popping, bells ringing, and people proudly waving flags.

56 brave men signed the Declaration of Independence including a boisterous John Hancock, president of the Second Continental Congress, with a larger than life signature followed by the fathers of our country, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams to name a few.

In a bizarre twist of fate, the only two United States Presidents to have signed the Declaration of Independence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died on the same day: July 4, 1826.

Bastille Day, a French national holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille in 1789, is celebrated on July 14th.

July 4, 1916 was the 1st annual Nathan's hot-dog eating contest. The contest has been held each year since then, except in 1941 when it was canceled as a protest to the war in Europe, and in 1971 when it was canceled due to civil unrest brought on by the reign of free love. But, who doesn't love a good hot dog at a cookout?