Independence Day

Independence Day otherwise known as The Fourth of July.

Independence Day is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776.  All over the USA people are organizing patriotic displays to celebrate.  You will see some people hanging the American Flag from their homes and possibly from a flagpole in their garden.  It is America’s deep roots in the tradition of political freedom.

So What Happens on This Day?

For most people this means a day off of work !  It is a day when families get together and have barbecues or picnics, which shows a great deal of emphasis on the American tradition of political freedom.  There are many challenges going on, on this day, such as competitions are held for hotdog eating and watermelon eating.  There are also a number of sporting events planned like swimming activities, baseball, three-legged races and most of all tug-of-war competitions.  Also many people will take a few days of their holiday leave and make a long weekend of it, to spend by the beach or just relax at their favourite holiday site.

Independence Day is a patriotic holiday where people like to display the American flag, being celebrations of the positive aspect of the United States.  At the end of the day you will see many communities doing firework displays, the ones of which are absolutely huge events, and the most impressive ones, are always televised.

You will also find a lot of politicians will attend public events to show their support for the history of the country, the heritage and the people of their country.  Topmost, people in the United States like to express and give their thanks for the freedom and liberties fought by the first generation of many of today’s Americans.

As Independence Day is a federal holiday, if the 4th should fall on a Saturday, it is celebrated on the Friday (3rd) and if it falls on a Sunday then it would be celebrated on the Monday (5th).  All government offices and schools are closed for this special day.  Some other businesses may also close.  This is when some of the employees will take that long weekend and use some of their holiday leave.  Because of this you will probably find a lot of traffic conjestions due to so many people being off of work and heading towards all the popular holiday destinations.

Also some of the events that are held will also hold up some of the traffic and cause a congestion.  Public transport will not normally run it’s scheduled trips but more of a skeleton service.

The History of Independence Day

Way back in 1775, the people of New England started fighting the British for their independence.  On the 2nd of July in 1776, the Congress secretly voted for indepencence from Great Britain.  The Declaration was first published two days later on the 4th July, 1776 and the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was taken place on the 8th July 1776.  It was then that the delegates began to sign the Declaration of Independence which took place on the 2nd August, 1776.  Independence Day started out as an unpaid holiday for the federal employees, but then it became a paid holiday for them in 1941.

John Adams sent a letter to his wife Abigail on the 3rd July 1776 to tell her how Idependence Day would be celebrated.  He said there would be sports, bells, guns, bonfires, illuminations and pomp and parade, with shows throughout the whole of the United States.  But the term Independence Day was not used until 1791.

It was strange that both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams (who both signed the Declaration) and were presidents of the United States, died on July 4th, 1826 – which was exactly 50 years after the adoption of the declaration.  It is also very important tonote that the Native Americans who lived in the country, each tribe had it’s own nation and government prior to the European settlers.

The most important symbols of Independence Day are the flag, the Statue of Liberty, which stands on Ellis Island in New York and the fireworks, which can be seen all over the country.