| | '''Independence Day''' is the celebration of the birthday of the [[United States of America]], commonly known as July 4th or the Fourth of July. On July 4th, 1776, the [[Continental Congress]] formally adopted the [[Declaration of Independence]]; thus, breaking ties with the Kingdom of [[Great Britain]], and a new nation was born.<ref>The Congress had already voted for independence on July 2, 1776 and on July 4 it gave the reasons in the ''Declaration of Independence.''.</ref> The document, primarily written by [[Thomas Jefferson]], served as a formal announcement that the 13 American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire and would henceforth be free and independent states.<ref>[http://www.history.com/videos/jefferson-writes-declaration-of-independence Jefferson Writes Declaration of Independence]. ''The History Channel website''. 2010. Accessed Jul 4, 2010.</ref> | | '''Independence Day''' is the celebration of the birthday of the [[United States of America]], commonly known as July 4th or the Fourth of July. On July 4th, 1776, the [[Continental Congress]] formally adopted the [[Declaration of Independence]]; thus, breaking ties with the Kingdom of [[Great Britain]], and a new nation was born.<ref>The Congress had already voted for independence on July 2, 1776 and on July 4 it gave the reasons in the ''Declaration of Independence.''.</ref> The document, primarily written by [[Thomas Jefferson]], served as a formal announcement that the 13 American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire and would henceforth be free and independent states.<ref>[http://www.history.com/videos/jefferson-writes-declaration-of-independence Jefferson Writes Declaration of Independence]. ''The History Channel website''. 2010. Accessed Jul 4, 2010.</ref> |
| − | Independence Day has long been the most important of all American anniversaries, and its very first celebration was held in the nation's capital, then [[Philadelphia]]. Congress established Independence Day as a holiday in 1870, <ref>[http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/history.html History of the Fourth] PBS.org</ref> and as a legal holiday in 1941. '''This is year number {{age|1775|7|4}} of our Independence.''' | + | Independence Day has long been the most important of all American anniversaries, and its very first celebration was held in the nation's capital, then [[Philadelphia]]. Congress established Independence Day as a holiday in 1870, <ref>[http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/history.html History of the Fourth] PBS.org</ref> and as a legal holiday in 1941. '''This is year number {{age|1776|7|4}} of our Independence.''' |
| | Most American businesses are closed and the citizens enjoy the summer holiday with cookouts, get-togethers, concerts, baseball, picnics, barbecues, bon fires, parades, and at night time enjoy displays of [[fireworks]]. Some people hold re-enactments of [[Revolutionary War]] era and some people give political speeches at events across the nations cities and towns. | | Most American businesses are closed and the citizens enjoy the summer holiday with cookouts, get-togethers, concerts, baseball, picnics, barbecues, bon fires, parades, and at night time enjoy displays of [[fireworks]]. Some people hold re-enactments of [[Revolutionary War]] era and some people give political speeches at events across the nations cities and towns. |