Holidays

Independence Day

The Spirit of '76
Author: Archibald Willard

What does Independence Day celebrate?

The Fourth of July celebrates the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted declaring the United States as an independent country no longer under the rule of Great Britain.

When is it celebrated?

Independence Day is celebrated each year in the United States on July 4th. The day is often referred to as the Fourth of July.

Who celebrates this day?

Independence Day is a national federal holiday in the United States. Most citizens of the United State celebrate in some way.

What do people do to celebrate?

There are a lot of ways that people celebrate. Perhaps the most popular is to have a cookout with friends and then view fireworks. Some people purchase and light their own fireworks, while others will attend large gatherings with huge public displays of fireworks.

The day is a day of national pride and patriotic displays as well. This includes flying the US flag and wearing red, white, and blue. Many bands play patriotic songs like The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, and God Bless America.

Other ways to celebrate include parades, baseball games, musical concerts, and outdoor picnics. Since the holiday is in the middle of summer much of the celebration takes place outdoors.

Source: US Air Force

History of Independence Day

Independence Day celebrates July 4, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved by the 2nd Continental Congress of the United States. This occurred during the Revolutionary War with Great Britain.

The anniversary of the day was celebrated as early as the next year in 1777. Celebrations continued in future years, but it wasn't until nearly 100 years later in 1870 that the federal government gave employees the day off without pay. In 1938 Congress made the day a paid federal holiday.

Fun Facts About Independence Day

Each year around 500,000 people gather to watch fireworks and listen to patriotic music in Washington DC on the Capitol lawn.
There were around 2.5 million people living in the United States when independence was declared in 1776. Today there are well over 300 million people in the country.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both presidents and signers of the Declaration of Independence, died on the 50 year anniversary on July 4, 1826. President James Monroe also died on July 4th and President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4th.
The Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, GA is a 10k running race held every year on this day.
Each year there is a famous hot dog eating contest at Coney Island, New York. Around 40,000 people show up to watch and millions watch it on TV. In 2011 the winner was Joey Chestnut who ate 62 hot dogs in ten minutes.
The longest running celebration is said to be the Bristol Fourth of July Parade in Rhode Island which as been running since 1785.
One of the more popular celebrations to watch on TV is the music and fireworks show put on by the Boston Pops Orchestra.

July Holidays
Canada Day
Independence Day
Bastille Day
Parent's Day

Back to Holidays

US History
Native Americans
Colonial America
American Revolution
Industrial Revolution
American Civil War
Westward Expansion
The Great Depression
Civil Rights Movement
Pre-1900s
1900 to Present
US Government
US State History

Homework
Animals
Math
History
Biography
Money and Finance

Biography
Artists
Civil Rights Leaders
Entrepreneurs
Explorers
Inventors and Scientists
Women Leaders
World Leaders
US Presidents

Games
Math Games
Puzzle Games
Word Games
Geography Games
Classic Games
Sports Games
Arcade Games
Typing Games

World History
Ancient Africa
Ancient China
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Mesopotamia
Ancient Rome
Middle Ages
Islamic Empire
Renaissance
Aztec, Maya, Inca
French Revolution
World War 1
World War 2
Cold War
Art History

Science
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Physics

Geography
United States
Africa
Asia
Central America
Europe
Middle East
North America
Oceania
South America
Southeast Asia

Fun Stuff
Arts and Crafts
Holidays
Jokes for Kids
Movies
Music
Sports