1. The Boston Tea Party played a role in the holiday: The Boston Tea Party, a famous act of rebellion against British taxation, occurred in Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773. In response, the British government passed the Intolerable Acts, which closed Boston Harbor to commerce until the cost of the tea was repaid. This led to a surge in anti-British sentiment in the colonies and set the stage for the American Revolution. As a result, July 4, which commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, has special significance in Massachusetts and other colonies that played key roles in the fight for independence.

2. The first Fourth of July celebration took place in Massachusetts: According to historical records, the first public celebration of the Fourth of July took place in Boston in 1783, just seven years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The event featured a parade, speeches, and a military salute, and set the precedent for modern Fourth of July celebrations across the country.

3. John Adams predicted July 4 would become a national holiday: John Adams, a Massachusetts statesman and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, played a key role in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. In a letter to his wife Abigail, Adams predicted that the Fourth of July would be celebrated as a national holiday for generations to come, writing, "I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival." His prophecy came true, and the Fourth of July continues to be celebrated as a major holiday across the United States.

4. The USS Constitution fired a salute on July 4, 1798: The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides," is a historic frigate that played a key role in several important naval battles in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. On July 4, 1798, the Constitution sailed into Boston Harbor and fired a 17-gun salute in honor of the Fourth of July. The ship remains a popular tourist attraction and is docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston.

5. The Boston Pops Orchestra has performed on the Fourth of July since 1929: The Boston Pops Orchestra, founded in 1885, is a renowned symphony orchestra that has become synonymous with July 4 celebrations in Massachusetts and across the country. Since 1929, the Pops have performed a special Independence Day concert on the Esplanade along the Charles River in Boston, attracting thousands of spectators and featuring a variety of popular and patriotic music. The event has become a beloved tradition and is broadcast live on national television.