History of Independence Day

Happy Birthday America!

America's Independence Day is the anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress - July 4, 1776. Independence Day marks the day when America announced to the world that its 13 colonies no longer belonged to Great Britain. Independence Day was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

When the Declaration of Independence was declared, John Adams wrote this historic letter to his wife: "I am apt to believe that this day will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations."

The first anniversary of the United States of America was celebrated across the land with bonfires - candles lit up windows, church bells rang out, and cannons were shot from ships. The Fourth of July soon became the main patriotic holiday of the entire country. In towns and cities, the American flag flew; shops displayed red, white, and blue decorations; and people marched in parades that were followed by public readings of the Declaration of Independence. In 1941, Congress declared July 4 a federal legal holiday.

On Saturday, July 7, AmCham picks up on the key elements of the U.S. Independence Day tradition and visitors will have the chance to enjoy shows, games, sports, music and fireworks.

Symbols of Freedom

In America, several symbols represent America's freedom.

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence declares America's independence. A committee of five men, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston were appointed to write the document. The first draft was written by Jefferson, in seclusion, over a period of several days. John Adams was the first person to revise the document, followed by Benjamin Franklin, and finally the full Congressional Committee. It was altered a total of 47 times before independence was declared. Independence was declared on July 2, 1776, and 39 more revisions to the document followed. John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776.

America's flag

The flag is made up of thirteen stripes that alternate between red and white. The stars are white in a blue field, representing a constellation. According to the Department of State, red stands for hardiness and courage, white is the symbol of purity and innocence, and blue is the color of vigilance, perseverance, and justice. The thirteen stripes represent the thirteen original sates of the union of the United States. Each star represents one of the 50 states that comprise the current United States of America.

The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was cast in London and was made of 70% copper, 25% tin, and small amounts of lead, zinc, arsenic, gold and silver. Written on the bell are the words, "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." The Liberty Bell cracked the first time it was rung. It was repaired in 1846, and cracked again. The bell has not been rung since.

The Eagle

In 1787, the newly formed United States adopted as its emblem a Bald Eagle with outspread wings. The Eagle is shown with a shield on its breast, an olive branch in one foot, and a sheaf of arrows in the other foot. When the Eagle is placed on the American coat-of-arms it carries a scroll in its beak bearing the Latin words "E Pluribus Unum," meaning one out of many.

The Statue of Liberty

The statue stands on Liberty Island in New York. France presented the statue to the United States in 1884 as a symbol of friendship and of the liberty that citizens enjoy under a free form of government. The statue's proper name is Liberty Enlightening the World. Liberty is personified by a proud woman, dressed in a loose robe that falls in graceful folds to the top of the pedestal on which the statue stands. The right arm holds a great torch raised high in the air. The left arm grasps a tablet bearing the date of the Declaration of Independence. A crown with huge spikes, like sun rays, rests on her head. At her feet is a broken shackle, which symbolizes the overthrow of tyranny.