Hi y’all. I’m Leada Gore, filling in for Ike Morgan on this holiday and for today’s Down in Alabama.

Facts for the Fourth

Today is July Fourth, America is celebrating its 247th birthday. The holiday marks the day the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, marking the new country’s independence from Great Britain.

The Continental Congress had actually declared American independence on July 2 and some, including Founding Father John Adams, thought that should be the day marked by history. The final wording of the Declaration of Independence hadn’t been approved on that day, however, something that occurred two days later, which is why we light up the sky on that day.

There are some other interesting Fourth of July facts as well. Three future presidents who signed of the Declaration of Independence – John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe – died on July 4. Adams, the second president, and Jefferson, the third passed away the same year, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the declaration’s signing. Then, five years later, James Monroe, the fifth president died on July 4.

Only one president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4. The 30th president, who served from 1923 to 1929, was born on July 4, 1872.

Today, we celebrate America’s birthday with cookouts, parties and, of course, fireworks. Check out this guide to July 4 fireworks and festivals around Alabama today.

Get what you’re owed

Here’s a twist for you – the IRS may owe you money.

Time is running out to claim your refund for 2019 returns. If you haven’t filed, yet you could be owed some money. According to the IRS, some 1.5 million taxpayers are owed money with an average refund of just under $900.

In Alabama there are an estimated 23,900 individuals who haven’t filed for 2019 with a total potential refund of $23.7 million. The median potential refund in Alabama is $880.

By law, taxpayers normally have three years to file and claim their tax refunds before the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. That was changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing the deadline back to taxpayers to properly address and mail their tax return to July 17.

Not everyone is guaranteed a refund, of course, including those who have not filed for 2020 or 2021. Also, a refund will be applied to any amounts owed to the IRS or a state tax agency or used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts, such as student loans.

Strike at the “Big Fish” set

A fire caused by a lightning strike destroyed one of the structures from the old “Big Fish” film set in Millbrook.

Jackson Lake Island, an outdoor recreation spot that maintains the “Town of Spectre” set for tourists, notified the public via Facebook of the fire.

“We lost a house in the Town of Spectre tonight after a lightning strike,” the post reads.

The 60-acre property, about 9 miles north of Montgomery, is open to the public for walks, picnics, fishing, camping and other activities. Goats roam freely on the island, to the delight of visitors and, good news, all the goats made it out alive.

The island is also is known as a filming location for the 2003 movie “Big Fish.” The movie includes a fictional town called Spectre, which was built as a custom set for the film with houses, a church and an overhead wire with shoes dangling from the line.

To do: Buy stamps

One other quick note. You may want to add “buy stamps” to your to-do list.

The cost of Forever First-Class stamps is increasing on July 9. On that day, the cost of a Forever Stamp, of mailing a 1-ounce letter, will increase from 63 cents to 66 cents.

The increase means a book of 20 Forever Stamps – which can be used at any time in the future regardless of price hikes – will cost 60 cents more than it does today. The increase will raise the First-Class Mail prices by approximately 5.4% to offset the rise in inflation, according to the postal service.

That’s all we have for today. Check back with AL.com throughout the day for what’s going down in Alabama.

Quoting

“That’s what happens when you play for a program where when you fail, you are immediately benched. A program where you aren’t pursued. A program where you are only looked at from an athletic perspective, not a personal perspective.”

— Auburn University softball player Carlee McCondichie, on announcing she won’t play a fifth year of softball

More Alabama news

Monday’s quiz answers

Yesterday we challenged y’all to take another quick 5-question Alabama news quiz. Here are the answers posted below, along with the results of all those who took it:

A special session of the Alabama Legislature begins July 17. What is the goal?

• To re-draw and approve a new Congressional district map – 94% (correct)
• To repeal the sales-tax exemption on some food – 4%
• To pass a lottery bill – 1%
• To censure former Rep. Fred Plump for putting sugar in his grits – 1%

What weather phenomenon most affected Alabama last week?

• Heat dome – 91% (correct)
• La Niña – 7%
• Fish storm – 1%
• Meat sweats – 1%

Who’s the most famous person from Tuscumbia, Alabama?

• Helen Keller – 74% (correct)
• Lionel Richie – 18%
• Jim Nabors – 5%
• “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton – 3%

The federal infrastructure package included $1.4 billion for Alabama to:

• Expand internet access – 94% (correct)
• Forgive payday loan debt – 3%
• Add public pickleball courts in rural areas – 2%
• Buy a box of 12-gauge shells for each citizen – 1%

What is the new annual salary of the University of Alabama baseball coach?

• $900,000 – 76% (correct)
• $9,000,000 – 16%
• $90,000 – 7%
• $9,000 and a box of Rawlings baseballs – 1%

At the end of Monday, 90 people aced the quiz. Nice job, y’all!

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