20 Facts About 'Independence Day' to Celebrate Independence Day

You can read these after, before, or instead of the fireworks.

Independence Day is July 4th, 1776. That’s what history books tell us (well, the lazy, non-nuanced ones). However, for several Americans of our generation, the real Independence Day is July 3rd, 1996. On that day, President Thomas J. Whitmore led us to victory over the alien threat with the help of fighter pilots and civilian volunteers… in theaters.

Independence Day was a massive summer blockbuster hit that is now a go-to post-fireworks movie that we gather together to watch on the Fourth of July. It’s turned into a film that we as a country watch every year, much like It’s a Wonderful Life around Christmas time. We don’t talk about the 2016 sequel though, or else your citizenship is revoked.

But while all of us have seen the movies dozens of times, there are still some things you may not know about during the making of it, or there are some hidden gems/references you didn’t pick up yet. Celebrate America’s birthday with these behind the scenes facts and Easter eggs about Independence Day