It's hard to believe that in a week — seven short days — it will be the Fourth of July.

Did you know that Independence Day has only been a paid federal holiday since 1941? (It became a federal holiday in 1870.)

That's just one of the interesting Fourth of July trivia on history.com. Among the others:

• John Adams believed July 2 was the correct day to celebrate the birth of America? The Continental Congress voted for a motion by Richard Henry Lee calling for the then-colonies' independence on July 2. On July 4, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence.

• In the summer of 1776, some colonists celebrated the birth of independence with mock funerals for King George III to symbolize the end of British rule over America. (The festivities also included concerts, bonfires, parades and the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence.

• The tradition of setting of fireworks to celebrate the holiday is believed to have started in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777. That same night, the sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common, according to the website.

Closer to home, the traditions of the Fourth of July are centered around the community celebration with the Lions hosting everything from some of the best (and biggest) small-town parades you're going to see to one of the best fireworks shows.

Why don't you consider helping fund the show and make it even more special with a donation to the Sandpoint Lions Club.

Total donations received to date total $7,655. Those donating to the Independence Day celebration will be named in future columns. If you would like to be anonymous, please indicate that on your donation or let the Lions Club know.

This year, the theme for Fourth of July parades is "It Takes a Community" and the event will showcase the many local businesses which impacted by the pandemic, and celebrate the community and all residents, Lions Club officials said.

Applications are being accepted for the Grand Parade, and will be until the morning of the parade.

The children’s parade will start at 9 a.m., and the Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m.

While the club has the funds to cover the costs of the parades, celebration, and fireworks show, they're looking to make them bigger and better than ever.

Although overall fundraising for this year is limited due to the short turnaround time, Lions Club officials held a raffle in 2019 to pay for 2020 fireworks, which were then run by Sandpoint Independence Day, Inc. instead.

Those funds, in addition to community donations, will be used for the Fourth of July events.

Those who wish to contribute to the July 4 fundraising can do so by clicking the donation link on the Lion’s Facebook page or dropping off donations at the Daily Bee, 310 Church St.