Fireworks, flags, parades – on July 4th, the United States celebrates its birthday. Learn everything you need to know about America's Independence Day, from the origins to beloved traditions and 2024 highlights. Continental Congress convenes The Thirteen Colonies as they existed on July 4, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress unanimously approved the text of the Declaration of Independence. (Most border disputes omitted. Some colonies had already declared independence; see Territorial evolution of the United States § 1776–1784 (American Less than a month later, the delegates voted in favor of the resolution. July 4 soon became the day widely celebrated as America's birthday. Why do we set off fireworks on the 4th of July? America celebrates its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. When Trump took office, he signed an executive order to create a task force for America250, a year-long celebration of the country's birthday Travel Record 72.2 Million Americans Expected to Travel Domestically July 4th Week Independence Day trips are up 2.4% over last year; road trips and flights setting new records In Congress, July 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to Variously known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. Learn why Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4, including the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the holiday's historical and modern traditions. July 4 - Groveland's Car Show & Fireworks July 4 - 4th on the Lake, All American Show (St Cloud) July 4 - Block Party & Car Show (Ocoee) July 4 - Horsepower & Fireworks (Kissimmee) July 5 - Miami Springs Classic Show July 6 - Cape Coral Cars & Coffee July 6 -Racks & Bring on the red, white and blue with Fourth of July weekend activities scheduled in many communities throughout Utah. Here's where to watch fireworks and more in Utah. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain. The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States. Celebrate July 4th with fireworks, parades, and patriotic displays. Discover the history and traditions that make Independence Day special in the United States. The Story of the Fourth of July The Declaration of Independence We celebrate American Independence Day on the Fourth of July every 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 John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest What is July 4th? July 4th, also known as the Fourth of July, is the United States’ Independence Day. It marks the historic moment when the American colonies asserted their right to self-governance by signing the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the most important milestone in our country’s history—250 years of American Independence. “With a single sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, America Independence Day is an annual celebration of nationhood in the United States, commemorating the passage of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is celebrated on July 4. Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, marking the birth of the United States of America. On that day, the Founding Fathers declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject to the British Crown Independence Day, commonly known 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. Americans observe this holiday with fireworks displays, patriotic parades and family gatherings.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |