Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Independence Day
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Independence Day in the United States
The word semiquincentennial appears in white text on a blue background.
John Trumbull's depiction of July 4, 1776
The American flag is shown against a blue sky background.
How did the Independence Day holiday come to be? Declaration of Independence
A lit sparkler is shown against a background of the American flag.
Fourth of July fireworks Annual Fourth of July USS Constitution cruise Fourth of July family cookout
For Students
Independence Day summary
Related Questions
Read Next
People watching fireworks.
Why Do Americans Celebrate the Fourth of July with Fireworks?
A scary old jack-o-lantern on black. Halloween pumpkin, trick or treat. Halloween holiday
Happy Halloween
The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.
14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered
A group of diverse individuals, who represent various occupations, stand with their arms raised in the air. labor day; laborers; construction worker; teacher; nurse; doctor; assistant; office staff; blue collar; workforce
Why Is Labor Day Celebrated in September?
Christopher Columbus kneeling, holding flag and sword with two other men holding flags. There are other men on land and in boats behind Columbus and three ships in background. On the island named San Salvador by Columbus, later called Watling Island.
Columbus Day
Discover
Shadow of a man holding large knife in his hand inside of some dark, spooky buiding
7 of History's Most Notorious Serial Killers
Gutzon Borglum. Presidents. Sculpture. National park. George Washington. Thomas Jefferson. Theodore Roosevelt. Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota.
9 Memorials and Monuments in the United States
Internet http://www blue screen. Hompepage blog 2009, history and society, media news television, crowd opinion protest, In the News 2009, breaking news
Who Invented the Internet?
Aspirin pills.
7 Drugs that Changed the World
Amendments 1-10 to the Constitution of the United States constitute what is known as the Bill of Rights on an American flag.
What Is the Emoluments Clause?
Figure 13: A Maxim machine gun, belt-fed and water-cooled, operated by German infantrymen, World War I.
7 Deadliest Weapons in History
Portrait of a mountain gorilla at a short distance. gorilla close up portrait.The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Falling Stars: 10 of the Most Famous Endangered Species

Independence Day: Facts & Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/Independence-Day-United-States-holiday
Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Pennsylvania town cancels Fourth of July parade, citing "unnecessary risk to the community" • May 14, 2025, 3:16 AM ET (CBS)
Whitemarsh Township cancels 4th of July parade over safety concerns • May 14, 2025, 2:22 AM ET (CBS)
LL Cool J, Jazmine Sullivan are Wawa Welcome America concert headliners • May 6, 2025, 1:00 PM ET (CBS)
Highland Park shooting: Gunman sentenced to life in prison • Apr. 25, 2025, 2:28 AM ET (BBC)
Victims' loved ones denied chance to confront Highland Park mass shooter • Apr. 24, 2025, 12:34 AM ET (NBC)

Facts

Also Known As Fourth of July • July 4th

Photos and Videos

Independence Day in the United States
John Trumbull's depiction of July 4, 1776
How did the Independence Day holiday come to be?
Declaration of Independence
Fourth of July fireworks
Annual Fourth of July USS Constitution cruise
Fourth of July family cookout
The word semiquincentennial appears in white text on a blue background.
The American flag is shown against a blue sky background.
A lit sparkler is shown against a background of the American flag.
The chemistry behind fireworks explained
Delving deeper into the Declaration of Independence
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics

Related Quizzes and Features

Demystified
People watching fireworks.
Why Do Americans Celebrate the Fourth of July with Fireworks?