American Independence Day

Independence Day in United States

 

Independence Day is annually celebrated on July 4 and is often known as "the Fourth of July". It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776. Patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the United States. Many people display the American flag on their homes. The celebrations have deep roots in the American tradition of political freedom.

What do people do?

Very few people have to work on Independence Day. It is a day of family celebrations with picnics and barbecues, showing a great deal of emphasis on the American tradition of political freedom. Activities associated with the day include watermelon or hotdog eating competitions and sporting events, such as baseball games, three-legged races, swimming activities and tug-of-war games.
Many people display the American flag outside their homes or buildings. Many communities arrange fireworks that are often accompanied by patriotic music. The most impressive fireworks are shown on television. Some employees use one or more of their vacation days to create a long weekend so that they can escape the heat at their favorite beach or vacation spot.
Independence Day is a patriotic holiday for celebrating the positive aspects of the United States. Many politicians appear at public events to show their support for the history, heritage and people of their country. Above all, people in the United States express and give thanks for the freedom and liberties fought by the first generation of many of today's Americans.

Public life

Independence Day is a federal holiday. If July 4 is a Saturday, it is observed on Friday, July 3. If July 4 is a Sunday, it is observed on Monday, July 5. Government offices and schools are closed. Some businesses may be closed as well. In some years, many employees use a proportion of their vacation days to create a long weekend. This can cause congestion in some places, particularly towards popular holiday destinations.
There are many public events, parades, shows and fireworks displays. This may cause local disruption to traffic. Public transit systems do not usually operate on their regular timetables.

Background

In 1775, people in New England began fighting the British for their independence. On July 2, 1776, the Congress secretly voted for independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was first published two days later on July 4, 1776. The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was on July 8, 1776. Delegates began to sign the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776. In 1870, Independence Day was made an unpaid holiday for federal employees. In 1941, it became a paid holiday for them.
The first description of how Independence Day would be celebrated was in a letter from John Adams to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776. He described "pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations" throughout the United States. However, the term "Independence Day" was not used until 1791.
Interestingly, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, both signers of the Declaration of Independence and presidents of the United States, died on July 4, 1826 - exactly 50 years after the adoption of the declaration. It is also important to note that Native Americans lived in the country and each tribe had its own nation and government prior to the European settlers.

Symbols

The most common Independence Day symbol is the American flag. Its design is displayed in all possible ways on July 4 and can be seen in front of homes and buildings. Other symbols associated with Independence Day are the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island in New York and the fireworks viewed all over the United States. Sometimes large civic works such as the Erie Canal and the Washington Monument start on July 4, emphasizing their contribution to the economy and culture of the United States.

Weekday	Date	Year	Name	Holiday type
Fri	Jul 4	1980	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 3	1981	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Sat	Jul 4	1981	Independence Day	National holiday
Sun	Jul 4	1982	Independence Day	National holiday
Mon	Jul 5	1982	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Mon	Jul 4	1983	Independence Day	National holiday
Wed	Jul 4	1984	Independence Day	National holiday
Thu	Jul 4	1985	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 4	1986	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 3	1987	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Sat	Jul 4	1987	Independence Day	National holiday
Mon	Jul 4	1988	Independence Day	National holiday
Tue	Jul 4	1989	Independence Day	National holiday
Wed	Jul 4	1990	Independence Day	National holiday
Thu	Jul 4	1991	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 3	1992	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Sat	Jul 4	1992	Independence Day	National holiday
Sun	Jul 4	1993	Independence Day	National holiday
Mon	Jul 5	1993	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Mon	Jul 4	1994	Independence Day	National holiday
Tue	Jul 4	1995	Independence Day	National holiday
Thu	Jul 4	1996	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 4	1997	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 3	1998	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Sat	Jul 4	1998	Independence Day	National holiday
Sun	Jul 4	1999	Independence Day	National holiday
Mon	Jul 5	1999	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Tue	Jul 4	2000	Independence Day	National holiday
Wed	Jul 4	2001	Independence Day	National holiday
Thu	Jul 4	2002	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 4	2003	Independence Day	National holiday
Sun	Jul 4	2004	Independence Day	National holiday
Mon	Jul 5	2004	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Mon	Jul 4	2005	Independence Day	National holiday
Tue	Jul 4	2006	Independence Day	National holiday
Wed	Jul 4	2007	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 4	2008	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 3	2009	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Sat	Jul 4	2009	Independence Day	National holiday
Sun	Jul 4	2010	Independence Day	National holiday
Mon	Jul 5	2010	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Mon	Jul 4	2011	Independence Day	National holiday
Wed	Jul 4	2012	Independence Day	National holiday
Thu	Jul 4	2013	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 4	2014	Independence Day	National holiday
Fri	Jul 3	2015	Independence Day observed	National holiday
Sat	Jul 4	2015	Independence Day	National holiday