How Old Is American Independence? (As of 2024)

The United States declared independence on July 4, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.

Age Calculation

• As of July 4, 2024: 248 years
• As of today (early 2024): 247 years (turning 248 on July 4)

Key Milestones

• 1776: Declaration adopted (legal separation declared)
• 1781: Yorktown victory (effective military independence)
• 1783: Treaty of Paris (British recognition)
• 1788: Constitution ratified (current governmental framework)
• 1789: Washington inaugurated (first federal government)

The 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial) will be celebrated on July 4, 2026.