Nation Happy Birthday, America: Celebrating Independence Day July 04, 2012 prev2 of 14next Eric Thayer / ReutersJoey Chestnut competes in the 2012 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Eating Contest at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York July 4, 2012. Chestnut ate a record-tying 68 hot dogs to take the crown. Share Read Later Americans across the country—and some abroad—celebrate America’s 236th birthday.