In the United States, Independence Day (commonly known as "the Fourth of July" or simply "the Fourth") is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Independence Day is commonly associated with parades, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Fireworks have been associated with the Fourth of July since 1777.
Why the fourth?
Though the Fourth of July is iconic to Americans, some claim the date itself is somewhat arbitrary. New Englanders had been fighting Britain since April 1775. The first motion in the Continental Congress for independence was made on 8 June 1776. After hard debate, the Congress voted unanimously (12-0), but secretly, for independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain on 2 July (see Lee Resolution). The Congress reworked the text of the Declaration until a little after eleven o'clock, 4 July, when twelve colonies voted for adoption and released a copy signed by John Hancock, President of the Congress, to the printers. (The New York deligation abstained from both votes.) Philadelphia celebrated the Declaration with public readings and bonfires on 8 July. Not until 2 August would a fair printing be signed by the members of the Congress, but even that was kept secret to protect the members from British reprisal.
John Adams, credited by Thomas Jefferson as the unofficial, tireless whip of the independence-minded, wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
Adams was off by two days, however. Certainly, the vote on 2 July was the decisive act. But 4 July 1776 is the date on the Declaration itself. Jefferson's stirring prose, as edited by the Congress, was first adopted by the 4 July vote. It was also the first day Philadelphians heard the official news of independence from the Continental Congress, as opposed to rumors in the street about secret votes.
What is celebrated
Despite the genesis of Independence Day, it is largely uncommon for Americans to express anti-British sentiment on the day or to view it as a celebration of anti-colonialism (it is also unusual to remember the aid given to the Americans by European powers such as France and the Dutch Republic). Indeed, most Americans today consider the United Kingdom a close ally. Rather than specifically as an opportunity to commemorate the end of British rule in the 18th century, contemporary Americans generally perceive the holiday as a celebration of the USA itself and the political values that motivated the United States Declaration of Independence, including the explicit principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
2006-08-08 11:38:32
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answer #3
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answered by mickurahul 3
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* Canada Day in Canada (July 1)
* July Morning in Bulgaria (July 1)
* Independence Day in the United States (July 4)
* Independence Day in Venezuela (July 5)
* San FermÃn in Pamplona/Spain (July 7)
* Tanabata in Japan (July 7)
* Independence Day in Argentina (July 9)
* Independence Day in Peru (July 28)
* Bastille Day in France (July 14)
* Tour de France during all the month.
2006-08-09 22:37:07
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answer #4
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answered by ♥♫♥ÇHÅTHÜ®ÏKÃ♥♫♥ 5
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