Independence Day / 4th of July

About

Independence day, also know as The 4th of July, is a special event within the United States of America, remembering the original Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.

Origin

On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a state of independence, proposed in June of the same year by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia^[1] declaring the United States independent from Great Britain^[2]. After voting for independence, Congress composed the Declaration of Independence, explaining the decision. Congress finally approved this document on July 4.

Spread

In 1777, 13 gunshots were fired in salute on July 4th in Bristol, Rhode Island. Philadelphia to celebrate the first anniversary of the event. The first recorded use of the name "Independence Day" occurred in 1791, finally becoming a holiday in 1870.

External References