What is Independence Day?

Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was signed on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire, and instead were thirteen sovereign states. The colonies had been fighting the British in the American Revolutionary War since 1775, and the Declaration of Independence formally expressed their intention to be free from British rule.

The Declaration of Independence was drafted by a committee of five men, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson was the primary author of the document, and he drew inspiration from various sources, including the English Bill of Rights, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and the philosophy of Enlightenment thinkers.

The Declaration of Independence is a powerful and eloquent statement of the principles of liberty, equality, and the right to self-determination. It begins with the famous words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a momentous event in American history. It marked the birth of a new nation, and it inspired people around the world to fight for their own freedom and independence. Independence Day is a time for Americans to celebrate their country's heritage and the sacrifices that were made to achieve independence.