United states independence day

The big event is still more than four years away, but from federal agencies to local museums, the nation’s history community has already begun planning for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Beyond simply celebrating the Revolution, the “Semiquincentennial” commemoration is also an opportunity to share American history in ways that fully explore the diverse people and complex events of our country’s past. As debate over what history is and who controls the nation’s historical narrative continues to be a partisan lightning rod, it is a minor miracle the 250th has so far taken shape beneath the radar. Although the Over the next few years, as planning for 2026 collides with the Presidential election of 2024, the attention of both politicians and the public will turn more directly to the Semiquincentennial. The controversies sure to ensue stand to have a profound effect on the way many Americans understand our shared national past for decades to come. Read more: ‘Critical Race Theory Is Simply the Latest Bogeyman.’ Inside the Fight Over What Kids Learn About America’s History Getty Images Today, the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission has embraced this particular Bicentennial legacy, intentionally planning a commemoration of U.S. history driven by local interests. Established by Congress in 2016, the Commission includes members of Congress, heads of major federal agencies related to history and education, and 16 private citizens appointed by both parties. Together with...

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Whether election day should be made a national holiday like Independence Day is debated. Some say a holiday would increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote while celebrating democracy. Others say a holiday would disadvantage low-income and blue collar workers and corporations should have better policies for voting time off. For more on the debate about making election day a national holiday, visit

The United States celebrated its Independence Day on Sunday, the 245th anniversary of its founding and this year a symbolic renewal of many family and public celebrations that had been curtailed for more than a year by coronavirus pandemic restrictions. U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden invited 1,000 first responders and military personnel to the White House for a barbecue picnic and a prime view of the annual fireworks show on the nearby National Mall. In New York, 65,000 fireworks shells have been loaded onto five barges to shoot off at nightfall. Communities large and small across the country staged their own parades and celebrations, with booming fireworks set to close out the day. Many families got together again for backyard picnics and met up with friends and relatives they had not seen for months or longer, some not since the coronavirus took hold in the United States in March 2020. Many airports were jammed with travelers. The American Automobile Association said July 4th road travel was expected to be the heaviest ever for the holiday, with an estimated 43.6 million Americans driving to be with friends and relatives. The U.S. did not meet Biden’s goal of 70% of the country’s adults having at least one coronavirus vaccination in time for the holiday, but it came close at 67.1%. President Joe Biden poses for a selfie with guests after delivering a speech during Independence Day celebrations on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, July ...

The Fourth of July is one of America’s biggest holidays, with today’s celebrations including fireworks and parades across the USA. But what exactly is Independence Day and what does it celebrate? Tom Cutterham, a lecturer in US History at the University of Birmingham, explains why Americans celebrate on the Fourth of July… In July 1776, during the second year of the American Revolutionary War (1775–83), representatives from 13 North American colonies of the kingdom of Great Britain voted to declare themselves independent from the crown, forming the United States of America. Two days after the historic vote, on 4 July 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed – and each year since, Americans have celebrated. Drafted mostly by Thomas Jefferson, a prominent lawyer and planter from Virginia (and later the third president of the United States between 1801–09), the Declaration of Independence features the famous lines: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” and have “certain unalienable rights” – among them “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. The declaration also describes Native Americans as “merciless savages”and blames King George for inciting American slaves to insurrection. A portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale. Later the third president of the United States between 1801–09, Jefferson drafted most of the Declaration of Independence. (Photo by GraphicaArtis/Getty Images) There’s a share of the divine in the dec...

Federal legislation directs that semiquincentennial events receive special focus in the cities of Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, and New York ( pictured, clockwise from top left). The United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 directs the The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 allows the Leading cities [ ] Boston [ ] In 2016, Revolution 250, a non-profit group organized to plan commemorative events in Boston surrounding the semiquincentennial, was established. For the 250th In honor of Part of the Philadelphia [ ] In 2017, the The commission has announced it is preparing a In 2016, city planners announced "Vision 2026", a plan to redevelop The 96th Louisville [ ] The New York City [ ] Sergio Villavicencio, Vice-President of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society, is currently serving as the New York City Semiquincentennial Committee Chair. Pittsburgh [ ] In 2019, the city of Pittsburgh organized the "Pittsburgh's United States 250 Celebration", featuring a Freedom train with Black and Gold colors, musical celebrations with the Pittsburgh Orchestra, and a major firework display at Fort Pitt in the city's downtown area, with an all day live parade through all city neighborhoods. Charleston [ ] Denver [ ] In 2026, Colorado will also observe the 150th anniversary of Colorado entering the Union. The America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission Planning [ ] In 2011, the non-profit organization USA250 was established in Philadelphia to lobby for federal ...

• • Pop-out player The United States celebrates its Independence Day on July 4. John Adams, who later became America’s second president, wrote to his wife in 1776 that the day would be remembered with fireworks and celebrations “from one End of this Continent to the other.” But the day he was talking about was July 2, 1776, not July 4. July 2 is the day the Continental Congress of the original 13 colonies voted for independence from Britain. Congress did not officially sign the Declaration of Independence, mainly written by Thomas Jefferson, until two days later. First July 4 celebration Pauline Maier was a historian who wrote the 1997 book American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. She wrote that in early July of 1777, members of the Continental Congress nearly forgot that it had been a year since they declared their freedom from the British. They remembered on July 3. It was too late to celebrate on July 2. So, they decided to mark the country’s independence with a celebration the following day: July 4. The Pennsylvania Evening Post of Philadelphia At night, the Post said, “There was a grand exhibition of fireworks…and the city was beautifully illuminated.” FILE - With the New York City skyline in the background fireworks explode during an Independence Day show over the East River in New York, in this Tuesday, July 4, 2017, file photo. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File) Becoming official holiday The tradition of celebrating Independence Day started to expan...

The United States celebrated its Independence Day on Sunday, the 245th anniversary of its founding and this year a symbolic renewal of many family and public celebrations that had been curtailed for more than a year by coronavirus pandemic restrictions. U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden invited 1,000 first responders and military personnel to the White House for a barbecue picnic and a prime view of the annual fireworks show on the nearby National Mall. In New York, 65,000 fireworks shells have been loaded onto five barges to shoot off at nightfall. Communities large and small across the country staged their own parades and celebrations, with booming fireworks set to close out the day. Many families got together again for backyard picnics and met up with friends and relatives they had not seen for months or longer, some not since the coronavirus took hold in the United States in March 2020. Many airports were jammed with travelers. The American Automobile Association said July 4th road travel was expected to be the heaviest ever for the holiday, with an estimated 43.6 million Americans driving to be with friends and relatives. The U.S. did not meet Biden’s goal of 70% of the country’s adults having at least one coronavirus vaccination in time for the holiday, but it came close at 67.1%. President Joe Biden poses for a selfie with guests after delivering a speech during Independence Day celebrations on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, July ...

Whether election day should be made a national holiday like Independence Day is debated. Some say a holiday would increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote while celebrating democracy. Others say a holiday would disadvantage low-income and blue collar workers and corporations should have better policies for voting time off. For more on the debate about making election day a national holiday, visit

Federal legislation directs that semiquincentennial events receive special focus in the cities of Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, and New York ( pictured, clockwise from top left). The United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 directs the The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 allows the Leading cities [ ] Boston [ ] In 2016, Revolution 250, a non-profit group organized to plan commemorative events in Boston surrounding the semiquincentennial, was established. For the 250th In honor of Part of the Philadelphia [ ] In 2017, the The commission has announced it is preparing a In 2016, city planners announced "Vision 2026", a plan to redevelop The 96th Louisville [ ] The New York City [ ] Sergio Villavicencio, Vice-President of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society, is currently serving as the New York City Semiquincentennial Committee Chair. Pittsburgh [ ] In 2019, the city of Pittsburgh organized the "Pittsburgh's United States 250 Celebration", featuring a Freedom train with Black and Gold colors, musical celebrations with the Pittsburgh Orchestra, and a major firework display at Fort Pitt in the city's downtown area, with an all day live parade through all city neighborhoods. Charleston [ ] Denver [ ] In 2026, Colorado will also observe the 150th anniversary of Colorado entering the Union. The America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission Planning [ ] In 2011, the non-profit organization USA250 was established in Philadelphia to lobby for federal ...