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What does the Fourth of July Celebrate?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

Each year, the United States celebrates their decision to declare independence from Great Britain on 4 July. Independence Day, more commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a day of picnics, parties and patriotic displays in celebration of the birth of the country. The momentous day of 1776 that established America as a new country is considered a main holiday of the year for Americans.

Until 1776, the United States was a collection of colonies and territories under the rule of several different nations. France, England, Spain and Denmark all had strongholds throughout the new world. The Northeastern seaboard of the Atlantic Ocean was largely controlled by the British, who divided the land into thirteen separate colonies of the British Empire.

The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence.
The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence.

After decades of British rule and being subject to British taxes, citizens of the colonies were growing eager for a new government. Unlike the monarchy in Britain, this new country would be ruled by elected officials and devote itself to the rights of the people. Powerful representatives of the colonies joined together in the Second Continental Congress, and drafted a document announcing their independence from Britain. At this point, the American Revolutionary War was well under way, and the resulting Declaration of Independence was really more of a formality as colonial forces were already fighting the British throughout the colonies.

Fireworks.
Fireworks.

The Fourth of July is a memorial to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The text of the document, which was largely composed by Thomas Jefferson, was agreed upon by the Congress on 4 July 1776, and sent to the printers to make a formal copy. It is sometimes referred to as a celebration of the signing of the document by the Congress members, but this did not take place until nearly a month later.

Many people visit Washington DC for the Fourth of July, and see sights like the Jefferson Memorial.
Many people visit Washington DC for the Fourth of July, and see sights like the Jefferson Memorial.

The Declaration of Independence is of tremendous importance to American history, as it outlines the reasons for their secession and outlines the famous American goals of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The original document resides in the National Archives Rotunda in Washington, DC. The eloquence and earnest feeling of the wording and the results it brought leads many experts to call it one of the greatest statements in the history of modern civilization.

Thomas Jefferson at Mount Rushmore. Jefferson's Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress on 4 July 1776.
Thomas Jefferson at Mount Rushmore. Jefferson's Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress on 4 July 1776.

On the Fourth of July, Americans often celebrate by singing the National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and watching displays of fireworks displays. While these shows are for entertainment, they are reminiscent of the bloody fight America had for its freedom and the chaos of the Revolutionary War. Many communities hold parades with patriotic displays, and people traditionally dress in red, white and blue to honor the colors of the American flag.

The issuing of the Declaration of Independence is celebrated on the Fourth of July.
The issuing of the Declaration of Independence is celebrated on the Fourth of July.

Although the Fourth of July is now more of a party than a memorial, it has great significance to many Americans. The opportunity to relax and enjoy company and entertainment are modern American luxuries in a world of 60-hour work weeks and unpaid vacations. The history of the Fourth of July is a chance to reflect on how far the nation has come since that hot day in 1776, when the founding fathers risked their lives and reputations on a dream for a new world. The enjoyment of picnics and fireworks were purchased with the Declaration of Independence, giving Americans a true and heartfelt reason to celebrate their nation’s birthday.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a UnitedStatesNow writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a UnitedStatesNow writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon160032

I completely disagree with this statement: "Unlike the monarchy in Britain, this new country would be ruled by elected officials and devote itself to the rights of the people."

The British Parliament of elected representatives was formed in 1707 and by 1717 almost all legislative power had moved from King George I to the democratically elected body that was Parliament. Following the Act of Union between England and Scotland, Great Britain was the first truly democratic 'modern time' Country in the World!

We have Civil Wars to prove it. Monarchists vs Protestants, Great Britain had long been democratic by 1766 and it was the Government that actually REMOVED (yes, you heard right, removed!) all the taxes from the Colonies. The tax on tea was the last remaining tax, not because it was a tax on the colony, but because it was a tax on the shipping and the shipping owners had to pay a levy when they off loaded the goods in Britain so need to pass on the tax. Anyhow, it all got a bit out of hand wouldn't you say?

grumpy112

I disagree with some of what is written in this article. The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence declared that as of July 4, 1776 the 13 colonies, New Hampshire through Georgia, were no longer colonies in the British Empire and that they were now countries, although they referred to them as free and independent states. A state is a country. The Declaration calls the country Great Britain the 'State of Great Britain'.

The country that today is called the U.S. did not exist in 1776, nor was it ever a part of the British Empire. So how could the U.S. declare its independence? Here are some words in the title of the Declaration: The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united States of America. If "United States of America" refers to one country, then the words 'unanimous' and 'thirteen' make no sense.

July 4 is not America's birthday. By America, I mean the U.S. July 4 is the birthday of the 13 new countries.

geekgirl

i think that people nowadays miss the point of the 4th of july.

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    • The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence.
      The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence.
    • Fireworks.
      By: Pavlo Vakhrushev
      Fireworks.
    • Many people visit Washington DC for the Fourth of July, and see sights like the Jefferson Memorial.
      By: rabbit75_fot
      Many people visit Washington DC for the Fourth of July, and see sights like the Jefferson Memorial.
    • Thomas Jefferson at Mount Rushmore. Jefferson's Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress on 4 July 1776.
      By: Robert Gil
      Thomas Jefferson at Mount Rushmore. Jefferson's Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress on 4 July 1776.
    • The issuing of the Declaration of Independence is celebrated on the Fourth of July.
      By: trekandshoot
      The issuing of the Declaration of Independence is celebrated on the Fourth of July.
    • People often dress in the colors of the flag for the Fourth of July.
      By: semmickphoto
      People often dress in the colors of the flag for the Fourth of July.
    • Great Britain lost control of America in 1776.
      By: lukas555
      Great Britain lost control of America in 1776.
    • Black gun powder is used in firecrackers, which may be used to celebrate the Fourth of July.
      By: dule964
      Black gun powder is used in firecrackers, which may be used to celebrate the Fourth of July.
    • Many people host barbecues on the Fourth of July.
      By: Pietro D'Antonio
      Many people host barbecues on the Fourth of July.
    • The Fourth of July celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
      By: Tony Baggett
      The Fourth of July celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.