Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the United States’ Declaration of Independence from Great Britain and takes place annually on July 4. On this July 4th, let’s take a look at some of the history commemorating America’s oldest holiday.
Although the Continental Congress voted to declare independence on July 2, the text of the Declaration of Independence was only declared two days later on July 4. John Adams, a founding father, famously wrote:
“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
Although he was wrong about the date, he was correct about the celebrations, and since 1777, when the holiday was first celebrated, there were feasts, gun salutes, fireworks, and so on.
In addition, even though the Declaration was approved on July 4, 1776, the fancy calligraphy was only written up in mid-July and was only signed on by most members of the Continental Congress on August 2. However, the holiday was only made an unpaid holiday in 1870 for federal employees and formalized only in 1938.
Also, interestingly, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, two Declaration signatories that later became presidents, died exactly 50 years after the Declaration was signed, on July 4, 1825.
The day was originally celebrated with massive bonfires and large feasts along with 13 gun salutes, but now it is very common for most towns and cities to host huge firework displays. For example, New York’s fireworks display, the largest in the country, exploded more than 22 tons of fireworks in 2009. Some areas prohibit the purchase of fireworks, and other areas may limit the types of fireworks allowed for personal use. Interestingly, though, many people skirt around these bans by simply purchasing fireworks in other states.
And on all capable military bases, at noon on Independence Day, fifty shots are fired off as a salute to every state in the union.
Also, cookouts, feasts, barbecues, and other food-related events are held on the day. For example, the famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is held annually on July 4. The world record for the most number of hot dogs eaten was in 2016: 73 in ten minutes. The first similar contest started back on Coney Island, New York, in 1916.
This year, Independence Day is celebrated on Friday, July 3, because July 4 happens to fall on a Saturday.
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