Independence Day

Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, is a significant national holiday in the United States that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This historic event marked the separation of the thirteen American colonies from British rule, establishing the United States of America as a free and independent nation.

The Second Continental Congress, comprised of delegates from the thirteen colonies, gathered in Philadelphia to discuss the escalating tensions with Great Britain. On June 11, 1776, they formed a committee, including notable figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, to draft a formal document declaring their independence. After extensive revisions, the Continental Congress officially adopted the final version on July 4, 1776.

The following day, copies of the Declaration were distributed, and on July 6, the Pennsylvania Evening Post became the first newspaper to print the extraordinary document. The Declaration of Independence has since become a cherished symbol of liberty in the United States.

Independence Day celebrations have evolved over the years, with early commemorations featuring public readings of the Declaration, bonfires, bells, and fireworks. The tradition of fireworks displays, which symbolize the "rockets' red glare" and "bombs bursting in air" mentioned in the American national anthem, has persisted as a central part of the festivities.

Congress established Independence Day as a holiday in 1870, and in 1938, it was reaffirmed as a paid holiday for federal employees. Today, communities across the nation mark this major midsummer holiday with parades, firework displays, picnics, and performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and marches by John Philip Sousa.