What is independence day
What is independence day
Fourth of July – Independence Day
Contents
The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The Fourth of July 2022 is on Monday, July 4, 2022.
History of Independence Day
When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical.
By the middle of the following year, however, many more colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet “Common Sense,” published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.
On June 7, when the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, the Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the colonies’ independence.
Amid heated debate, Congress postponed the vote on Lee’s resolution, but appointed a five-man committee—including Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York—to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain.
Did you know? John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote (the New York delegation abstained, but later voted affirmatively). On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.”
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On July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Jefferson. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.
Early Fourth of July Celebrations and Traditions
In the pre-Revolutionary years, colonists had held annual celebrations of the king’s birthday, which traditionally included the ringing of bells, bonfires, processions and speechmaking. By contrast, during the summer of 1776 some colonists celebrated the birth of independence by holding mock funerals for King George III as a way of symbolizing the end of the monarchy’s hold on America and the triumph of liberty.
Festivities including concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of cannons and muskets usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence, beginning immediately after its adoption. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still occupied with the ongoing war.
George Washington issued double rations of rum to all his soldiers to mark the anniversary of independence in 1778, and in 1781, several months before the key American victory at the Battle of Yorktown, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.
After the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to commemorate Independence Day every year, in celebrations that allowed the new nation’s emerging political leaders to address citizens and create a feeling of unity. By the last decade of the 18th century, the two major political parties—the Federalist Party and Democratic-Republicans—that had arisen began holding separate Fourth of July celebrations in many large cities.
Fourth of July Fireworks
The first fireworks were used as early as 200 BC. The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4 of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: “at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.
Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday
The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.
Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism.
Falling in mid-summer, the Fourth of July has since the late 19th century become a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family get-togethers, often involving fireworks and outdoor barbecues. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States.
Photo Gallery: The Founding Fathers
Washington oversaw the passage of the Bill of Rights, appointed the first Supreme Court, signed the Jay Treaty with Great Britain and voluntarily stepped down after two terms in office, setting a key precedent.
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Adams was the only Federalist president ever elected and the first president to live in the White House. As a federalist, Adams favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution with a strong federal government.
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Thomas Jefferson oversaw the acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase—a massive tract of land that doubled the size of the United States.
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The defining event of James Madison’s presidency was signing a declaration of war against Great Britain and launching the War of 1812.
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In 1820, Monroe signed the Missouri Compromise, which barred slavery north and west of Missouri. He also established the Monroe Doctrine, warning Europe that the United States would not tolerate further colonization in the Americas.
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John Quincy Adams won his election by a very narrow margin and his presidency marked a return to partisan politics. Despite political gridlock, Adams did oversee the completion of the Erie Canal.
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Jackson supported states’ rights and slavery’s expansion into new western territories. He used the power of presidential veto more than any previous president, and he pushed through the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the federal government to force Native American tribes from their homelands in states east of the Mississippi River.
Independence Day
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Independence Day is celebrated in the United States on July 4. Often the holiday is called the Fourth of July.
The Fourth of July celebrates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration announced the political separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain.
In Fourth of July celebrations, fireworks signify national pride and patriotism. They had been used in China since at least the 12th century, and in the 15th century they became popular with European monarchs as a way to celebrate national triumphs, the restoration of peace, and the monarchs’ own birthdays. Fireworks have been part of Independence Day in the United States since its first celebration, in 1777.
The Declaration of Independence, passed on July 4, 1776, reflected widespread dissatisfaction in the colonies with increased British control. Colonists especially opposed a series of unpopular laws and taxes enacted by Britain beginning in 1764, including the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and the so-called Intolerable Acts.
Read a brief summary of this topic
Independence Day, also called Fourth of July or July 4th, in the United States, the annual celebration of nationhood. It commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
The Congress had voted in favour of independence from Great Britain on July 2 but did not actually complete the process of revising the Declaration of Independence, originally drafted by Thomas Jefferson in consultation with fellow committee members John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and William Livingston, until two days later. The celebration was initially modeled on that of the king’s birthday, which had been marked annually by bell ringing, bonfires, solemn processions, and oratory. Such festivals had long played a significant role in the Anglo-American political tradition. Especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, when dynastic and religious controversies racked the British Empire (and much of the rest of Europe), the choice of which anniversaries of historic events were celebrated and which were lamented had clear political meanings. The ritual of toasting the king and other patriot-heroes—or of criticizing them—became an informal kind of political speech, further formalized in mid-18th century when the toasts given at taverns and banquets began to be reprinted in newspapers.
In the early stages of the revolutionary movement in the colonies during the 1760s and early ’70s, patriots used such celebrations to proclaim their resistance to Parliament’s legislation while lauding King George III as the real defender of English liberties. However, the marking of the first days of independence during the summer of 1776 actually took the form in many towns of a mock funeral for the king, whose “death” symbolized the end of monarchy and tyranny and the rebirth of liberty.
During the early years of the republic, Independence Day was commemorated with parades, oratory, and toasting in ceremonies that celebrated the existence of the new nation. These rites played an equally important role in the evolving federal political system. With the rise of informal political parties, they provided venues for leaders and constituents to tie local and national contests to independence and the issues facing the national polity. By the mid-1790s the two nascent political parties held separate partisan Independence Day festivals in most larger towns. Perhaps for this reason, Independence Day became the model for a series of (often short-lived) celebrations that sometimes contained more explicit political resonance, such as George Washington’s birthday and the anniversary of Jefferson’s inauguration while he served as president (1801–09).
The bombastic torrent of words that characterized Independence Day during the 19th century made it both a serious occasion and one sometimes open to ridicule—like the increasingly popular and democratic political process itself in that period. With the growth and diversification of American society, the Fourth of July commemoration became a patriotic tradition which many groups—not just political parties—sought to claim. Abolitionists, women’s rights advocates, the temperance movement, and opponents of immigration (nativists) all seized the day and its observance, in the process often declaring that they could not celebrate with the entire community while an un-American perversion of their rights prevailed.
Independence Day 2022: When and How to Celebrate the Main US Holiday
One thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight days ago, the United States of America was founded. On July 4th, 2022, the country will celebrate more than 200 years of independence.
This year’s festivities will be bigger and better than ever before, with a variety of concerts, parades, and fireworks shows planned across the country.
So mark your calendars now and join in on the celebration! In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about American Independence Day.
Contents:
When is Independence Day?
In the United States, Independence Day—commonly known as the Fourth of July—is a federal holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States. Congress declared the day to be a national holiday in 1941, and it has been celebrated annually since 1776.
The date of the holiday was originally chosen to mark the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which took place on July 4, 1776. However, in subsequent years, the holiday has come to represent the birth of the United States as a nation.
Independence Day in the United States is a federal holiday. If the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. Many Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, parades, and barbecues.
Brief History of Independence Day
July 4th is Independence Day in the United States of America. The country celebrates its birthday on this day because it was on July 4, 1776 that the Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. This document proclaimed the independence of 13 American colonies from Great Britain.
That means that America is officially 246 years old this year–that’s a lot of birthday candles on that cake, isn’t it?!
Early celebrations of Independence Day were quite different from the fireworks and barbecues we enjoy today. In 1777, just one year after the Declaration was signed, Philadelphia held a large parade and had an official reading of the Declaration in front of the State House (now known as Independence Hall).
For many years, 4th of July was celebrated primarily in New England. It wasn’t until after the War of 1812 that Independence Day became a national holiday.
Now, more than 200 years later, Americans all over the country celebrate their independence on July 4th with picnics, parades, and fireworks displays.
And while the holiday may look different now than it did in 1776, its purpose remains the same: to celebrate the birth of a nation and to remember the brave men and women who fought to give us our freedom.
How to Celebrate US Independence Day?
Most people in the United States celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, cookouts, and parades. Let’s explore some top Independence Day traditions.
Barbecues
The 4th of July is a day that is synonymous with barbecues. All across America, people gather to cook out and enjoy some time with family and friends. Barbecues are the perfect way to celebrate the 4th of July, and there are a few things that make them even more special.
First of all, the smell of barbecue is sure to get everyone in the mood for a party. Additionally, barbecues always seem to bring people together, no matter what their differences may be. And finally, nothing tastes quite as good as a burger or hot dog cooked on the grill.
So this 4th of July, fire up the grill and enjoy some time with your loved ones. Happy 4th of July!
Food for the Independence Day
The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate America’s independence, and what better way to do that than with some traditional American food? One classic dish is the all-American hot dog, which can be grilled or boiled and served with a variety of toppings, such as ketchup, mustard, relish, and onions.
Another popular option is hamburgers, which can also be grilled or boiled and topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
For something a little sweeter, pies are always a hit–think apple pie or cherry pie.
Backyard Celebrations
While there are many ways to enjoy the holiday, backyard celebrations are a great way to relax and have fun. Here are a few games to make your Fourth of July party a hit:
Parades and Concerts
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The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate America’s independence, and there are many traditions that have arisen around this holiday.
One of the most popular is the parade. Many towns and cities across the country hold parades on the Fourth of July, featuring floats, marching bands, and local dignitaries. This is a great way for families to come together and show their patriotism.
Another tradition that has become popular in recent years is the concert. Many musical groups will put on special performances on the Fourth of July, often featuring patriotic songs and themes. These concerts are a great way to enjoy the holiday while also getting into the patriotic spirit.
Wearing Red, White, and Blue
Whether you choose a classic button-down shirt or a flowy sundress, there are plenty of ways to show your support for the stars and stripes.
To get you started, here are a few Fourth of July fashion and beauty ideas:
And don’t forget about your nails! A patriotic manicure is the perfect finishing touch to any Fourth of July outfit.
Creating Patriotic Crafts
One easy way to show your patriotism is to make some patriotic-themed crafts. A simple but effective way to do this is to decorate some small American flags and display them around your home. Or, if you’re feeling more ambitious, you could try your hand at making some red, white, and blue bunting to decorate your front porch or patio.
Another great way to show your patriotic side on the Fourth of July is to make some homemade Fourth of July decorations. One idea is to create a star-spangled wreath for your front door. Or, you could try making some paper lanterns in patriotic colors to hang up around your home.
Here’s a video with even more fun crafts to celebrate the holiday:
Fireworks
Fireworks are an integral component of most 4th of July celebrations. But believe it or not, they aren’t totally American!
The origins of the Fourth of July fireworks display can be traced back to China. Centuries ago, the Chinese used to set off firecrackers to scare away evil spirits.
The tradition eventually made its way to Europe, where it became associated with holidays and festivals. In the United States, the first recorded fireworks display was held in 1777 to celebrate the Declaration of Independence.
Every year, Americans gather to watch as colorful rockets light up the night sky. The spectacle is a reminder of the rich history and traditions that make our country so unique.
Here is a video compilation of some of the best fireworks displays for the holiday:
Interesting 4th of July Facts Every American Should Know
The Fourth of July is a time for every American to celebrate our nation’s independence. Here are some interesting facts about this important day that everyone should know:
Liberty Bell Traditions
The Liberty Bell is one of the United States’ most iconic symbols. Dating back to the 18th century, the bell has been a rallying point for freedom and liberty.
Today, it is a popular tourist destination in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The bell was originally commissioned by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1751. It was cast in London and shipped to Philadelphia, where it was hung in the State House. The bell first rang on July 8, 1776, to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
However, it was later damaged by a crack that could not be repaired. In 1846, the bell was removed from the State House and placed on display at Independence Hall. It remained there until it was moved to its current home at Liberty Bell Center. The Liberty Bell continues to inspire people from all walks of life and is a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom and liberty.
Hot Dogs are Huge!
Hot dogs are a staple of American cuisine, and each year on the Fourth of July, millions of Americans enjoy this delicious food.
According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume more than 155 million hot dogs on Independence Day. That’s enough hot dogs to stretch from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles more than five times.
While hot dogs are popular year-round, they are especially popular in the summer months when people are grilling and picnicking outdoors. In addition to being a delicious food, hot dogs are also a symbol of American culture and tradition.
So, next time you’re celebrating the Fourth of July with friends and family, don’t forget to enjoy a few delicious hot dogs.
Red, White, and Blue Weren’t Always Essential
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While red, white, and blue are the colors typically associated with the Fourth of July in the United States, they were not originally part of the holiday. In fact, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that these colors became widely used to decorate for the Fourth of July.
The Fourth of July is a celebration of the United States’ independence from Great Britain, and the original holiday did not include any patriotic decorations.
It wasn’t until Flag Day became a national holiday in 1916 that Americans began to decorate their homes and businesses with flags and other patriotic symbols. After World War I, the prevalence of red, white, and blue decorations increased as Americans sought to express their patriotism.
Today, these colors are synonymous with the Fourth of July, and millions of Americans celebrate the holiday by hanging flags, attending parades, and setting off fireworks.
Which Three Presidents Died on the Fourth of July?
Three of our nation’s presidents died on the Fourth of July: Thomas Jefferson in 1826, John Adams in 1826, and James Monroe in 1831.
While these men had very different beliefs and policies, they were united in their love of country. Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, Adams was the second president and one of the key architects of the Constitution, and Monroe served as the fifth president and oversaw the expansion of the United States into the American West.
Where Was the First Annual Commemoration of Independence Day?
The first annual commemoration of Independence Day was held in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777. The event was organized by the Continental Congress and featured speeches, parades, and fireworks. In attendance were delegates from all thirteen colonies, as well as many dignitaries and military officers.
The day was a huge success, and the celebration has continued in Philadelphia ever since. Today, Independence Day is celebrated all across the United States with parades, fireworks, and barbecues. It is a day to reflect on our nation’s history and to celebrate our freedom.
Quotes about Independence Day
July 4th is a day that is very special to Americans. It is a day when we celebrate our country’s independence. On this day, we reflect on the sacrifices that were made by our Founding Fathers and the brave men and women who have fought to protect our freedom. We also celebrate the many blessings that we enjoy as Americans. We are truly a blessed nation!
Here are some quotes about Independence Day that will inspire you to celebrate this special holiday:
Independence Day is a time to celebrate our nation’s independence and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. As parents, it’s important that we take this holiday to teach our children about our country’s history and what it means to be an American. There are many ways to celebrate Independence Day with your kids, and we hope you will join us in marking this special day!
Independence Day –
Americans come together on July 4 to celebrate the nation’s birthday and Independence Day. On this day, most Americans enjoy grills in their backyards, at beaches, or in parks. Some partake in parades or marches and enjoy the fireworks that are often launched at dusk. We kick off the festivities with details, trivia, and anything else you need to know about Independence Day. Happy Fourth!
When is Independence Day 2023?
The American glory of Red, White, and Blue, is celebrated on Independence Day on July 4.
History of Independence Day
Although most of us already had this history lesson in school, we probably weren’t really paying attention as the clock ticked closer to recess or the end of the day. But we can’t fully appreciate our freedoms if we don’t know how we got them — and, more importantly, how close we came to losing them. The story of America’s independence is truly fascinating with more historical twists and turns than we can possibly get into here. But at least we can get you started with the basics.
In the 1700s, America wasn’t really a nation of ‘united states.’ Instead, there were 13 colonies with distinct personalities. From 1763 to 1773, Britain’s King George III increasingly placed pressure on the colonies as he and the British Parliament enacted a succession of draconian taxes and laws on them. Excessive taxes on British luxury goods like tea and sugar were designed to benefit the British crown without any regard for the hardships of the colonists. By 1764, the phrase “Taxation without representation is tyranny” spread throughout the colonies as the rallying cry of outrage.
The more the colonists rebelled, the more King George doubled down with force. Imagine if enemy soldiers not only had the right to enter your home but the soldiers could demand that you feed and house them. The Quartering Act of 1765 allowed British soldiers to do just that.
But the Stamp Act of 1765 became the straw that broke the colonists’ backs. Passed by Parliament in March, this act taxed any piece of printed paper, including newspapers, legal documents, ships’ papers — and even playing cards! As the colonial grumbling got louder and bolder, in the fall of 1768, British ships arrived in Boston Harbor as a show of force. Remember, the British Navy dominated the seas all over the world due to the far-reaching presence of the British Empire.
Tensions boiled over on March 5, 1770, in Boston Harbor during a street fight between a group of colonists and British soldiers. The soldiers fired shots that killed 47-year-old Crispus Attucks, the first American and Black man to die along with three other colonists in the Boston Massacre.
In 1773, the Boston Tea Party (from which today’s Tea Party Republicans get their name) erupted when colonists disguised as Mohican Indians raided a British ship, dumping all the tea overboard to avoid paying the taxes. Continued pressure led to resistance and the start of the Revolutionary War in the towns of Lexington and Concord when a militia of patriots battled British soldiers on April 19, 1775. Conditions were ripe for American independence.
When the first battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, only a handful of colonists wished for total independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered extremists.
John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.”
Fourth of July 2022: Celebrate with History, Traditions, and Recipes
The United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4th each year.
Happy Independence Day, America!
What’s the best way to celebrate the Fourth of July? Refresh your memory about this all-important American holiday. What actually happened on July 4, 1776? How did the founders envision our country’s Independence Day celebration? What are ways to prep for YOUR Fourth of July?
When Is Independence Day This Year?
On the 4th of July, the United States observes a federal holiday in honor of the Declaration of Independence.
Note: If the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday, the federal observed holiday is the following Monday, July 5. If the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, the observed holiday for most (but not all) federal employees is Friday, July 3.
What Day of the Week is July 4th?
A Brief History of Independence Day
We think of July 4, 1776, as a day that represents the Declaration of Independence, America’s revolutionary Charter of Freedom and the document upon which the nation’s founding principles were established. But July 4 wasn’t the day that independence was declared. Nor the day that the Declaration was officially signed.
So what did happen on July 4, 1776?
What this holiday commemorates is the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by delegates from the 13 colonies. On the 4th, the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. This is the day we celebrate the birth of the United States of America.
Here are more dates to remember:
On August 4, 1776, after delegates of the Continental Congress had signed the document, the Declaration of Independence was made official.
How Did Our Founders Envision Independence Day Celebrations?
John Adams described the way Americans should celebrate their independence each year. He envisioned the celebration to be one filled with fun, games, and fireworks—not an occasion for displaying military strength (as one might expect). On July 3, 1776, he wrote these words to his wife Abigail, capturing the spirit of the times:
“Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony ‘that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States might rightfully do…’
On July 18, 1777, an issue of the Virginia Gazette describes the July 4 celebration in Philadelphia:
“The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated. Every thing was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal.”
A number of years would pass until celebrations of the Fourth of July became more common. Interestingly, it was the death of John Adams (and Thomas Jefferson) that seemed to promote the idea of July 4 as an important date to be celebrated. And it was almost a century later (in 1870) that Congress declared July 4 a national holiday.
What’s really special about America’s celebration of freedom is it was quite different for its time, focusing on the joys of freedom. Many countries have emulated this spirit of celebration ever since.
Refresh Your Memory: The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. It was an official act taken by all 13 American colonies in declaring independence from British rule.
The document was originally written by Thomas Jefferson, but Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, along with Jefferson then worked together to make changes. The final draft of the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, but the actual signing of the final document took place on August 2, 1776.
Here is an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence ( U.S. 1776):
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
We invite you to refresh your memory as an annual tradition. Read a transcription of the complete text of the Declaration at www.archives.gov.
More Fourth of July History
4th of July Trivia
While we celebrate with fireworks, let’s not forget the freedom that our founding fathers declared to the world over two centuries ago. Here are some fun facts you may not know about the holiday:
Q. Why is the name “John Hancock” synonymous with “your signature”?
A. Hancock’s bold signature on the Declaration of Independence dwarfed the signatures of the other signers. Legend says that Hancock wanted the king of England to see the rebellious signature without having to wear his spectacles!
Q. When did America declare independence?
A. Congress ruled in favor of independence on July 2, 1776. Two days later, on July 4, Congress accepted Jefferson’s declaration document. Nonetheless, John Adams thought July 2 should be Independence Day.
Q. How many people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4?
A. Only two men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776—John Hancock, president of the Congress, and Charles Thompson, secretary of the Congress.
Q. On what day did most people sign the Declaration of Independence?
A. August 2, 1776.
Q. When did Independence Day become a national holiday?
A. The Fourth of July was not declared a federal holiday until 1938!
Q. Is anything written on the back of the Declaration of Independence?
A. Yes, but not a treasure map like a certain favorite film suggests! The message “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4 th July 1776” is written upside down on the back of the Declaration of Independence.
After the war, George Washington hoped to retire and return to Mount Vernon, Virginia. Instead, in 1789, the electors unanimously voted him in as the first president of the United States. Because it was such an honor, and he felt a great duty to his country, he accepted. He departed Mount Vernon on April 16 and arrived in New York City on April 30 for his inauguration. As he took his oath standing on the balcony of Federal Hall, the crowd broke into cheers. The members of his first Cabinet included Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state and Alexander Hamilton as secretary of the treasury.
Celebrating the Fourth of July
In the United States, Independence Day is a federal holiday traditionally observed with parades, concerts, outdoor food, and fireworks. Here are five ways to prep for the Fourth of July!
How do YOU celebrate the 4th of July? Fireworks? Barbecue? Both? Let us know in the comments—and have a Happy Independence Day, America!