4th of July · Freedom · Indepedence Day · USA · Veterans · Jul 02, 2022

4th of July-History of Indepedence Day

4th Of July: Independence Day in the United States

The Fourth of July is one of America's most important holidays, with fireworks and parades taking place around the country today.

During the second year of the American Revolutionary War (1775–83), in July 1776, delegates from 13 North American colonies of the Kingdom of Great Britain voted to proclaim their independence from the monarch, establishing the United States of America.

On July 4, 1776, two days after the momentous vote, the Declaration of Independence was signed — and every year since Americans have celebrated.

What happened to make the Fourth of July a national holiday?

People didn't commemorate the Declaration of Independence on any day during the first 15 or 20 years after it was written. It was too fresh, and there was too much else going on in the fledgling country.

By the 1790s, at a period of fierce partisanship, the Declaration had become divisive. One political party, the Democratic-Republicans, revered Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence.

The Federalists, on the other hand, believed the Declaration was overly French and anti-British, which contradicted their present objectives.

In a letter sent in 1817, John Adams expressed his dissatisfaction with America's lack of interest in its history.

But that was about to change.

Following the War of 1812, the Federalist party started to disintegrate, and the new parties of the 1820s and 1830s all saw themselves as the heirs of Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans.

Printed copies of the Declaration of Independence started to circulate again, all bearing the date July 4, 1776, at the top.

The deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, may have even aided in popularizing the concept of July 4 as a significant occasion to commemorate.

Celebrations of the Fourth of July grew increasingly frequent throughout time, and over a century after the Declaration of Independence was written, Congress first designated July 4 to be a national holiday as part of a measure to legally recognize various holidays, including Christmas, in 1870.

Additional laws concerning national holidays, including July 4, were enacted in 1939 and 1941.

What is the significance of fireworks on the Fourth of July?

On July 4, 1777, the custom of setting off fireworks began in Philadelphia. A salute of 13 gunshots was fired in the morning and evening at the first organized celebration of Independence Day.

It was the country's first official Fourth of July celebration, and it was a source of pride for the people at the time.

Following that, in 1778, George Washington, a commander in the revolutionary army at the time, gave his men a double rum ration to celebrate the day.

However, it should be recalled that before the Declaration of Independence was written on July 4, 1776, John Adams, one of the founding fathers of the United States, had envisioned fireworks as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

Since then, it has been a tradition for Americans to celebrate the Fourth of July with spectacular fireworks displays.

Independence Day Fun Facts

Here are fascinating facts about Independence Day:

The Declaration of Independence was signed by both John Adams, the second US president, and Thomas Jefferson, the third US president. Both men died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The majority of the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson.
The American Revolution began not on July 4th, 1776, but in April 1775.
On July 2, 1776, Congress voted for independence. At the time, John Adams said that July 2nd should be recognized in American history and celebrated with fireworks and festivities.
The American Congress did not proclaim Independence Day a paid official holiday until 1941.
On July 4th, Americans consume over 150 million hot dogs.
The most popular holiday for barbecues is July 4th, followed by Memorial Day and Labor Day.
According to the American Pyrotechnic Association, more than 14,000 fireworks will light up the night sky across America on July 4th.