Richmond, The American International University in London, celebrates Independence Day

The UK’s only American university, Richmond, The American International University in London, will be marking July 4^th, Independence Day, with an American themed barbecue for staff and faculty at the campus near Richmond Hill.

Richmond, The American International University in London is the only university in the UK which offers students a UK and US degree by studying one programme.   The University is based across two campuses in London, in Richmond and Kensington, with additional sites in Florence, Rome and Leeds.  With a US President newly appointed in August last year, the University combines the best of British and American education, teaching in the US liberal arts tradition which provides students with a broad, multi-disciplinary foundation combined with in-depth study in a specific area of interest.

For the majority of Americans, Richmond staff, faculty and students included, it’s a chance to celebrate with food, fun and fireworks.  But there are some things many people don’t know about Independence Day:

• Of the signees, only John Hancock actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. All the others signed later
• Two signers of the Declaration of Independence later served as President of the United States – John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
• The stars on the original American flag were in a circle so all the colonies would appear equal
• Fifty-nine places in the US contain the word “liberty” in the name
• Several presidents died on July 4^th – Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who both signed the Declaration, died within hours of each other on the 50th anniversary of Independence Day. James Monroe also died on the same day five years later
• In Bristol, Rhode Island, they literally paint the town red, white, and blue, including a painted road for the annual parade on July 4^th, with the celebrations starting on Flag Day, June 14^th
• 150m hotdogs are eaten every July 4^th weekend and it’s the biggest holiday for US beer sales, topping all other holidays including Christmas
• 62% of Americans own an American flag

According to the National Retail Federation, younger people (aged 18-24) are the most likely age group to celebrate the day, with 93% planning to celebrate it last year.