Fourth of July is right around the corner and you know what that means? The sky will glow bright with fireworks across the country! The real question is why do we celebrate July 4th? Also known as Independence Day, the Fourth of July is celebrated annually and is a national federal holiday in the United States. People celebrate by having cookouts, attending parades, concerts, sporting events, and ending the day by attending a public display of fireworks! Many will even wear red, white, and blue to display patriotic colors. Although there are many ways to celebrate, there is a lot of history as to why we celebrate as well!
Fun Facts About Independence Day
America actually declared independence from British rule on July 2, 1776, but it was officially approved 2 days later. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the 2nd Continental Congress of the United States, which occurred during the Revolutionary War with Great Britain. The anniversary of the approval began being celebrated in 1777. Historical records indicate fireworks took place in Philadelphia then. It took roughly 100 years for the federal government to give employees off without pay around 1870. Then, in 1938 it became a paid federal holiday. Every year, 500,000 people gather in Washington D.C. on the Capitol lawn to watch fireworks and listen to patriotic music. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, 2 Presidents of the United States that were also signers of the Declaration of Independence, died on the 50th anniversary on July 4, 1826.
Are you celebrating the 4th of July? Celebrate with this fun free printable coloring page of Womple experiencing the festivities!
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