Independence Day Fourth of July fireworks behind the Washington Monument, 1986.jpg Displays of fireworks, such as these over the Washington Monument in 1986, take place across the United States on Independence Day. Also called The Fourth of July Observed by United States Type National Significance The day in 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress Celebrations Fireworks, family reunions, concerts, barbecues, picnics, parades, baseball games Date July 4 Next time July 4, 2018 Frequency Annual Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire. The Congress actually voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2.
Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.