What Happened On the 4th of July?

The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, is the national day of the United States and is a popular and important holiday in the United States.

Independence Day celebrates the endorsement of the Declaration of Independence, which declared the independence of the American colonies from Great Britain. This was enacted by the Second Continental Congress, which was a gathering of delegates from each of the thirteen British-settled colonies in America at the time.

This Congress oversaw and managed the revolutionary movement and ran from May of 1775 to July of 1776. They formally adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 2nd, 1776, two days before the date of the well-known United States federal holiday.

Dates of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence legally declared the United States a separate national entity from Great Britain and was written chiefly by Thomas Jefferson.

There are several key dates associated with the Declaration of Independence:

• July 2nd and 4th - Although most of the members of the Continental Congress signed the document on the 2nd, Americans immediately embraced the 4th as their independence holiday.
• July 4th - July 4th, 1776 is the date on the actual document itself as that was the day the Congress officially approved the wording of the declaration.
• August 2nd - Most delegates signed the document on August 2nd.  It is said that even the founders of the document were confused about when the document was signed later in their lives.

Upon being approved, the Declaration of Independence was read in gatherings of citizens and printed in newspapers all over North America.

Great Britain wasn’t impressed, to say the least, and launched a campaign that responded to the delegates’ attacks, even mentioning the irony of most of the leaders of the revolution owning black slaves while proclaiming that “all men are created equal.”

Observance of the 4th of July

An important event in the history of the United States brings friends and families together every year to celebrate July 4th. Observance of the fourth of July, while diverse and contrasting among individuals, towns and regions, includes many running themes.

Many patriotic elements are included in fourth of July festivities as many see the day as one to appreciate the freedoms that citizens of the United States enjoy.

• Since this holiday is set in the summer months, outdoor activities characterize Independence Day.
• The flag of the United States of America and various red, white and blue decorations are utilized to set the mood.
• Barbecue and picnic events are common, and contemporary American staple foods like hamburgers and french fries are typically enjoyed.
• Many towns and cities will throw parades as local, state and federal politicians seize the day to illustrate their patriotism, give back and kick back like a typical citizen.

Major league and minor league baseball will typically schedule many games on the day as well, giving sports fans a classically American past-time to enjoy on Independence Day.

Fireworks on the 4th of July

What most people would consider the most essential element of any fourth of July celebration is a fireworks display. These shows are often accompanied by patriotic music, although this may vary by region. In some states, certain categories of fireworks may be sold for personal use and differing levels of restriction on fireworks leads to inter-state transfer of these products.

Major cities will often have elaborate shows, while smaller towns and regions will have more modest productions.

• New York City almost always has the biggest fireworks display
• Historically dense cities such as Washington, D.C. celebrate with flair as well.
• Philadelphia is a sought after destination, as the events that United States citizens are celebrating on Independence Day occurred there.

Americans have always embraced that particular day as symbolizing the writing and signing of the document, as well as the American Revolution in general. Independence Day celebrates national events that hold the United States together while allowing room for local traditions.