Hot dogs are as much a part of July 4th celebrations as fireworks and parades. Did you know that an estimated 150 million hot dogs are eaten in the U.S. on Independence Day? The hot dogs that everyone wants to know about are the ones eaten at the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. The contest has been held every July 4th since 1916 (except for 1941 and 1971). Impress your friends with these hot dog contest facts: the record is 68 hot dogs and buns eaten in 2010 by reigning champion Joey Chestnut and an incredible 1.7 million people tuned in on television to watch him win the crown last year!