One of the most important days in the American calendar is the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on 4th July, 1776.
This day marks the freedom of the nation from the rule of Great Britain and the emergence of a new sovereign country.
A national holiday, the 4th of July every year is celebrated by fireworks, parades, speeches by political leaders, carnivals and concerts. Fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs including the national anthem. Besides this, a salute of one gun for each state in the United States, called a salute to the union, is fired on Independence Day at noon by any capable military base.
This Independence Day marks the celebration of the nation's 236th birthday.
Check out some of memorable images of Independence Day celebrations throughout history in the slideshow given:
Sailors watch flares light up the sky during a Navy-style fireworks display on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The ship held a surface power demonstration for the crew in honor of the Fourth of July holiday. Other festivities for Independence Day included a steel beach picnic and a root beer float social. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.US Navy.Although, it is true that both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson did on July 4th, exactly 50 years after the declaration of independence, there is no evidence that Adam’s final thoughts were with Jefferson as the latter died hours before him.US Navy.“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,” a letter by John Adams to his wide states.
The actual declaration of the American independence was made on the 2nd of July. It was only the adoption of the document of the Declaration of Independence that was made on July 4th.
US Navy.Independence Day, Terra Alta, West Virginia.Lib of Congress/handout.Members of the Color Guard from the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) present the colors during a Fourth of July parade through Boston beginning at City Hall for a flag raising ceremony and ending at the State Building for a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Bataan is in Boston participating in the 27th annual Boston Harborfest, a six-day long Fourth of July festival showcasing the colonial and maritime heritage of the cradle of the American Revolution.US Navy.One of the most important days in the history of the American calendar is the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776.The White House.