Fourth of July 2024

Happy Independence Day, America! On this day in 1776, the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, officially ending British rule.

While July 4th is famously associated with American Independence, the day the Continental Congress voted in favor of freedom was July 2nd. It wasn’t until 1870 that July 4th became a federal holiday.

In the country’s early days, cities hosted concerts, bonfires, and public readings of the Declaration of Independence. Today, many Americans flock to baseball games and backyard barbecues. Fireworks are launched all over the country in celebration of the fourth, a tradition that began in 1777 during the first organized celebration.

Happy Fourth of July!