Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.

6 days ago · The Fourth of July celebrates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration announced the political separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain.

Dec 16, 2009 · The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941.

July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar; 180 days remain until the end of the year.

We think of July 4, 1776, as a day that represents the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. But July 4, 1776 wasn't the day that the Continental Congress decided to declare independence (they did that on July 2, 1776).

Aug 8, 2024 · It marks the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted (July 4, 1776) and the United States officially became its own nation. American citizens celebrate America’s birthday with festivals...

Jan 2, 2025 · But July 4 wasn’t the day that independence was declared. Nor the day that the Declaration was officially signed. So what did happen on July 4, 1776? This holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by delegates from the 13 colonies on July 4, 1776.

On July 4, 1965, more than two dozen LGBTQ activists demonstrate in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia in one of the earliest gay rights demonstrations in the United States.

Independence Day, or Fourth of July, Anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress (July 4, 1776). It is the greatest secular holiday in the country. Celebrating the day became common only after the War of 1812.

Learn the history of America's Independence Day, including why we celebrate on July 4.