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. By the 1870s, the Fourth of July was the most important secular holiday on the calendar. Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870. Even far-flung communities on the western frontier managed to congregate on Independence Day. In 1780, the United States Congress made July 4th an unpaid holiday for federal employees. In 1983, Congress officially declared it a paid holiday for federal employees. This is why non-essential federal institutions are closed on that day each year (including the postal service and federal courts). Americans celebrate July 4th, also known as Independence Day, to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on the same date in 1776. This historic document declared the How is Independence Day celebrated today? Fireworks are part of the tradition of this national holiday: more than 15,000 fireworks are blasted every year in celebration. The Macy’s fireworks show has been celebrating the Fourth of July over New York City’s East River for more than 40 years. To see holidays for a specific year, please select the tab labeled with your year of interest. The Fourth of July is Independence Day in the US. July 4th marks the anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence. Getty Images Americans began observing the Fourth of July as early as 1777, when the first-ever major celebration in Philadelphia included a parade, a thirteen-shot cannon salute, and fireworks, but Congress didn’t make it official until 1870, when it was part of a bill passed to recognize major state holidays at a federal level—like Independence Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Falling on a Thursday this year, the Fourth of July is a federally recognized holiday filled with fun activities, including picnics, parades and fireworks. Independence Day celebrates the The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the The significance of this Federal holiday dates back to July 4th 1776, which is about 241 years ago with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress formed by thirteen American colonies. By the 1880's, the Fourth of July had become the most significant patriotic occasion in the United States. Congress declared the day a federal legal holiday in 1941. The holiday is presently celebrated with parades, fireworks, picnics, sporting events, and music, including the "Star-Spangled Banner" and several marches of John Philip Sousa. The 4th of July was not always a paid holiday for federal employees. Here is some of the history behind this federal holiday. The original four holidays in 1870 were: New Year's Day Independence Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day New Years Day celebrates the beginning of the new calendar year on January 1. The July 4th Independence Day commemorates the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776. In 1870, Congress passed H.R. 2224, establishing the Fourth of July as an unpaid federal holiday, as part of a bill that acknowledged other holidays like New Year's Day and Christmas. The Story of the Fourth of July The Declaration of Independence 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 Am But July 4, 1776 wasn’t the day that the Continental Congress decided to declare independence (they did that on July 2, 1776). July 4th, 1776 ------------------------------ The first law passed by the U.S. Congress recognizing July 4 as a federal holiday was signed into law on June 28, 1870. In 1870 the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal workers, and in 1938 it became a paid federal holiday. Also called the Fourth of July, the holiday is celebrated across the United States with parades, fireworks shows, picnics, concerts, and other festivities. 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. It wasn’t until almost seven decades later, in 1938, that Congress established the Fourth of July as a paid federal holiday along with Christmas, New Year’s, Memorial Day, Washington’s Birthday, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.
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