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July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

2025-07-04 19:05:00, Blog CNA

July 4th marks Independence Day in the United States of America. The day has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations dates back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.

On July 2, 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 4 has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with celebrations ranging from fireworks, parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

History of Independence Day

When the initial battles of the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired full independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radicals.

However, by the middle of the following year, 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 best-selling pamphlet "Common Sense," published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

On June 7, when the Continental Congress met in the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the independence of the colonies.

Amid heated debate, Congress postponed a vote on Lee's resolution, but appointed a five-member 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 declaration justifying separation from Great Britain.

July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

On July 2, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee's resolution for independence by a near unanimous vote (the New York delegation abstained, but later voted in favor) . That day, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that July 2 "shall be celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great Anniversary Festival" and that the celebration should include "Multiplication and Parade... Games, Sports, Arms, Bells, Fires, and Illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other".

July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

On July 4, the Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was largely written by Jefferson. Although the vote for actual independence took place on July 2, from that day forward, the 4th became the day celebrated as the birth of American independence.

Early July 4th Celebrations and Traditions

In the years before the Revolution, the colonists had held annual celebrations of the king's birthday, which traditionally included the ringing of bells, large bonfires, processions, and speeches. In contrast, during the summer of 1776, some colonists celebrated the birth of independence by holding mock funerals for King George III as a way to symbolize the end of the monarchy's rule over America and the triumph of freedom.

July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

Celebrations, including concerts, bonfires, parades, and cannon and musket firings, usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence, beginning soon after its adoption. Philadelphia held its first annual independence commemoration on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still preoccupied with the ongoing war.

George Washington gave double rations of rum to all his soldiers to mark the anniversary of independence in 1778, and in 1781, a few months before the key American victory at the Battle of Yorktown, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.

July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

After the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to commemorate Independence Day annually, in celebrations that allowed the emerging political leaders of the new nation to address the citizens and create a sense of unity. By the last decade of the 18th century, the two major political parties that had emerged, the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republicans, began holding separate July 4 celebrations in many major cities.

July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

July 4th Fireworks

The first fireworks were used as early as 200 BC The tradition of lighting fireworks on July 4 began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ships' cannons fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: "There was a magnificent display of fireworks (which began and ended with thirteen rockets) on the Commons at night, and the city was beautifully illuminated." That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.

July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

July 4th Becomes a Federal Holiday

The tradition of patriotic celebration spread even further after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced off against Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4 a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to provide a paid holiday to all federal employees.

July 4th/ History of Independence Day of the United States of America

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 midsummer, July 4 has become since the late 19th century a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family gatherings, often including 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./CNA