Independence Day

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Today, on July 4th, the United States celebrates their independence from Great Britain. The Independence Day is the most important day for the citizen of the USA, it can be compared with the Swiss National Day on August 1st or the German Unity Day on October 3rd. In the year 1777 the Independence Day was celebrated for the very first time on the occasion of the ratification of the independence declaration a year before. Today the Independence Day is associated with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family reunions.

What is the Independence Day?
The Independence Day, also known as Fourth of July, is the National Day of the United States. On July 4, 1776 the Thirteen Colonies were designated in an official and signed document as the United States of America. Although, the legal basis of the United States did not occurre until the ratification of the present-day valid U.S. Constitution of 1787, the 4th July 1776 is considered as the act of the U.S. statehood.

Following a few facts about the Independence Day:

  • 1777: Thirteen gunshots were fired in salute, once at morning and once again as evening fell, on July 4 in Bristol, Rhode Island.
  • 1778: General George Washington marked July 4 with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute.
  • 1779: July 4 fell on a Sunday. The holiday was celebrated on Monday, July 5.
  • 1781: The Massachusetts General Court became the first state legislature to recognize July 4 as a state celebration.
  • 1783: Moravians in Salem, North Carolina, held a celebration of July 4 with a challenging music program assembled by Johann Friedrich Peter. This work was titled The Psalm of Joy.
  • 1791: The first recorded use of the name Independence Day occurred.
  • 1820: The first Fourth of July celebration was held in Eastport.
  • 1870: The U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees.
  • 1938: Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.

In the 21st century the Independence Day is associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, concerts, baseball games and family reunions. A lot of things were decorated in red, white, and blue colors.

 usflag.pngFlag of the United States
usfirework.jpgFireworks at the Washington Monument (1986) 

I wish all Americans and the rest of the world a wonderful Independence Day and a joyful celebration.