Here's something to talk about at your July 4th cookout: the facts behind everything we take for granted on Independence Day, as presented during the Adam Ruins Everything "Adam Ruins Americana" marathon that aired on truTV on June 28.
Sources
"There were actually multiple riders, but we only remember Revere."
Ewers, Justin. "Rewriting the Legend of Paul Revere." U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report L.P. 27 Jun 2008. Web.
"[Cars in the next lane aren't moving faster, it's] an optical illusion caused by the fact that it takes longer to be passed than it does to pass someone."
Jaffe, Eric. "Ten Tired Traffic Myths That Didn't Get a Rest in 2015." CityLab. Atlantic Media Company. 31 Dec 2015. Web.
"[Lawn signs make] almost NO difference in the outcome of the election."
Wallace, Lane. "The Popularity and Irrelevance of Our Sign Wars." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company. 3 Nov 2012. Web.
"Rutherford B. Hayes, got the presidency in 1876 even though he didn't win the popular OR the electoral vote."
Wormser, Richard. "Hayes-Tilden Election." PBS Online. Public Broadcasting Service. Accessed 12 Apr 2015. Web.
"The U.S. started printing the motto on our paper money in 1957, largely to prove we were different than the 'godless communists'."
"Placing "In God We Trust" on national currency." History, Art, & Archives. U.S. House of Representatives. Accessed 12 Apr 2015. Web.
"George Washington didn't have wooden teeth."
"The Trouble With Teeth." Mount Vernon Online. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Accessed 12 Apr 2015. Web.
"Star Spangled Banner", wasn't the original name of the song, an anti-war song about a war no one remembers, and the tune was lifted from popular music at the time."
Wilson, Scott. "Star Spangled Banner Myths Debunked." ABC News. The Walt Disney Company. 4 Jul 2014. Web.