Happy Independence Day this 4th of July
ALMANAC REPORTS:
Independence Day on the Fourth of July is an all-important American holiday. Take a moment to refresh your memory about the true history of this nation. How did the founders envision this holiday and what's special about America's celebration of freedom?
When Is Independence Day This Year?
On the Fourth of July, the United States observes a federal holiday in honor of the Declaration of Independence. If the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday, the federal observed holiday is the following Monday, July 5. If the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, the observed holiday for most (but not all) federal employees is Friday, July 3.
A Brief History of Independence Day
We
think
of
July
4,
1776,
as
a
day
that
represents
the
Declaration
of
Independence,
America's
revolutionary
Charter
of
Freedom,
and
the
document
upon
which
the
nation's
founding
principles
were
established.
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?
What
this
holiday
commemorates
is
the
adoption
of
the
Declaration
of
Independence
on
July
4,
1776,
by
delegates
from
the
13
colonies.
On
the
4th,
the
Continental
Congress
approved
the
final
wording
of
the
Declaration
of
Independence.
This
is
the
day
we
celebrate
the
birth
of
the
United
States
of
America.
VIDEO: FIREWORKS IN WASHINGTON DC TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY