Last updated on August 29th, 2023 at 06:50 am
Happy 4th of July! It is time to party and get some time off, after all of the hard work throughout the year! Enjoy the holiday and get ready for the upcoming summer with fitness, diet, enough sleep and proper cycles.
And don’t forget to take care of your body! ๐
History of 4th of July
The 4th of July, also familiar as Independence Day, is an important national holiday in the United States that celebrates the adoption of the announcement of Independence on July 4, 1776. This historic document declared the American colonies’ independence from British rules, marking the birth of the USA (United States of America). The history of the 4th of July is rooted in the following key events:
- Colonial Tensions: By the 18th century, tensions between the American colonies and the British government had escalated due to issues like taxation without representation, trade regulations, and limited self-governance.
- Continental Congress: On June 7, 1776, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A committee was appointed to draft a formal declaration of independence from British rule.
- Drafting the Declaration: Thomas Jefferson, along with other members of the committee, drafted the Declaration of Independence. The document eloquently articulated the principles of individual rights, self-governance, and equality.
- Debate and Approval: The draft was debated and edited by the Continental Congress before being adopted on July 4, 1776. John Hancock, the president of the Congress, was the first to sign the document, followed by other delegates.
- Spread of News: The news of the Declaration’s adoption spread throughout the colonies, sparking celebrations and public readings of the document. The 4th of July became a symbol of unity and a call for freedom.
- Celebrations Begin: The first 4th of July celebrations included patriotic speeches, parades, bonfires, and fireworks. The holiday quickly gained popularity as a way to honor the nation’s birth.
- Ratification and War: The Revolutionary War continued after the Declaration’s adoption. The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, officially ended the war and recognized the United States’ independence.
- Becoming a Federal Holiday: The 4th of July was not declared a federal holiday until 1941, when it became a day of national observance and celebration.
Today, the 4th of July is celebrated with various festivities, including parades, concerts, picnics, barbecues, and, most notably, fireworks displays across the country. It’s a time for Americans to come together, reflect on the nation’s history, and celebrate the principles of freedom and democracy upon which the United States was founded.
