U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY: 4TH OF JULY

On the 4^th of July, the United States observes a federal holiday in honor of the declaration of Independence Day. July 4^th, 1776, is the 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. Though, surprisingly July 4^th isn’t the day that independence was declared nor the day that the declaration was officially signed. On the 4^th, the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. This day is celebrated among Americans as the birth of the United States of America. The declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in US history, it was an official act taken by all 13 American colonies that declared independence from British rule.

Here is a short piece of extract from the Declaration of Independence Document (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. 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 a new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.”

Important Dates in the U.S History

• April 19, 1775 – Start of the American Revolution
• July 2^nd, 1776 – Second Continental Congress voted for independence from Britain
• July 4^th, 1776 – Congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence
• July 8^th, – First public reading of the declaration took place at the Pennsylvania State House, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Later that same day, other readings occurred in Trenton, New Jersey, and Easton, Pennsylvania. Printer John Dunlap made about 200 copies of the Declaration, with the date of July 4. Known as the “Dunlap Broadsides,” these were distributed throughout the 13 colonies.
• August 2^nd, 1776 – the Declaration was officially signed. John Hancock, president of the Congress, was the first of 56 delegates who signed this enlarged version, writing in big, bold letters.
• August 4^th, 1776 – The declaration of Independence was made official. After all the delegates had signed the document.

Founding Father’s Vision of Independence Day Celebrations

John Adams described the way Americans should celebrate their Independence Day each year. He envisioned the celebrations to be filled with fun, games, and fireworks – instead of an occasion where military strengths are displayed. He wrote on July 3^rd, 1776, 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…’ “The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epoch, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

Several years passed until celebrations of the 4^th of July became common. It was only a century later in 1870 when the 4^th of July would become a national holiday in America.

4^th of July History

• July 4^th, 1776: Thomas Jefferson noted that the weather was cloudy and the temperature was 76ºF.
• July 4^th, 1826: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson- signers of the Declaration of Independence, they later became Presidents as well. They died on the 50^th anniversary of the adoption Declaration.
• July 4^th, 1884: The Statue of Liberty was formally presented to the United States by the President of France.
• July 4^th, 1911: It was a hot fourth of July in New England. States recorded, were Nashua, New Hampshire (106°F), and Vernon, Vermont (105°F).

Ways of Celebrating the 4th of July in the U.S

Americans usually celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies, as well as various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and the traditions of the United States. Every American living abroad in other nations usually does celebrate the 4^th of July in some way or the other.