On this day: On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence and thus America became independent from Britain.
American leaders adopting the Declaration of Independence (File Photo)
America celebrates its Independence Day on 4th July. On this day, on July 4, 1976, America got independence from Great Britain through the Continental Congress. The 13 colonies of North America voted to secede from Great Britain. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later on July 4, representatives of the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. From 1776 to the present day, July 4 is celebrated as the birth of American independence.
When the initial battles of the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, some colonists expressed their desire for complete independence from Great Britain. Such people were considered fundamentalists. However, by the middle of the next year, many more colonists began to express their desire for independence. Anger was now increasing among the people against Britain. When the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on June 7, Virginia’s Representative Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution calling for the independence of the colonies.
How did America get independence from Britain?
Congress postponed voting on Lee’s proposal in view of the heated debate taking place at the Pennsylvania State House. But a five-member committee was appointed. These included Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York. Their job was to draft a formal statement to justify the separation from Great Britain. On July 2, the Continental Congress almost unanimously voted in favor of Lee’s independence motion.
On July 4, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, largely written by Jefferson. Although the vote for de facto independence took place on July 2, the adoption of the Declaration on July 4 made this date the day celebrated as the birth of American independence. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and George Washington are considered the founding fathers of America.
How did the fireworks on Independence Day start?
The first fireworks were used in the world in 200 BC. The tradition of fireworks began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first celebration of Independence Day. A 13-gun salute was given in honor of the 13 colonies from the ship’s cannon. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported that a grand fireworks display took place over the House Commons at night and the city was lit up with beautiful lights.
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