source: cobbgop.org

1Independence Day is by far the most important holiday in America.

It marks the day when it was declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer under the rule of the monarchy of the United Kingdom. Nowadays, it is a national holiday people celebrate with their close family and friends, and in this article when have drawn up the list of most important thing regarding this day.

2Declaration of The Independece

source: historyonthenet.com

The Declaration of the Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the interesting fact is that the Continental Congress had voted on July 2nd, but independence was not declared until two days later, on July 4th. The document was signed by 55 men, but the first signature on it was that of John Hancock, the president of the Congress. In fact, he was the only person that signed it on July 4th, while the others did it later that year.

3This document had many versions until it was finally passed

They were all written by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. They were the members of “a Committee of Five” and they started their work the same year on June 11th. Another interesting fact is that two members, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were later second and third president of the state respectively.

The Declaration stated that all men were equal and that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Until this day, this phrase has remained the most famous and frequently used one. It is still a phrase that Americans live by, regardless of their age, education, and the life they had to endure.

It is the reason they love their country and believe it to be one of the greatest in the world. You can read more about it if you are interested in learning how it has shaped their lives in the past 243 years.

4First Flag

The first flag of the United States as an independent country consisted of 13 stars that represented each colony. They were arranged in a circle as a symbol of their equality. The flag we know today, which features 13 stripes (for each original colony) and 50 stars which equal the number of states.

5National Bird

source: worldatlas.com

Another interesting fact is that turkey was supposed to be the national bird. This proposition was made by Benjamin Franklin, but he was overruled by Thomas Jefferson and John Adams who suggested the bald eagle.
The first time the Independence was celebrated was on July 8th, 1776 in Philadelphia, when the Declaration was read to the public. However, the first organized celebration of the Independence Day with bonfires, bells, and firework, took place one year later, in 1777.

6This tradition is still kept alive

There are firework displays in each city in the country, the most famous of which is the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, and millions of dollars are spent every year on pyrotechnics. Nowadays, besides firework display, each city organizes a parade that attracts thousands of people. Also military base fires so-called “salute to the union” every July 4th exactly at noon.