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Independence Day
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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
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The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.
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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
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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.
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Happy, smiling, flying pig
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Independence Day: Media

United States holiday
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Videos

What do you call the 250th anniversary of the United States?
Try saying this term five times, fast.
Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Five surprising facts about the Fourth of July
One colony didn't originally vote for independence.
Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Questions and answers about the Fourth of July
Why fireworks?
Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; thumbnail © Tetra Images/Getty Images
The chemistry behind fireworks explained
Learn how chemical compounds, such as copper oxide, strontium chloride, and sodium...
Video: © American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
Delving deeper into the Declaration of Independence
Learn more about the history and context of the Declaration of Independence in this...
Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Images

Independence Day in the United States
Children marching in a Fourth of July parade.
© Ariel Skelley—Digital Vision/Getty Images
John Trumbull's depiction of July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence, oil on canvas by John Trumbull, 1818, for the...
Architect of the Capitol
How did the Independence Day holiday come to be?
Infographic about the Independence Day holiday in the United States.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski
Declaration of Independence
The adoption of the Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776, by the Continental...
© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Fourth of July fireworks
A fireworks display on the Fourth of July in Portland, Oregon.
Eric Baetscher
Annual Fourth of July USS Constitution cruise
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacklyn Ditzel ringing the ship's bell aboard the...
EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense
Fourth of July family cookout
Hot dogs and corn on the cob are among the favorite foods that Americans enjoy on...
© Kali9—E+/Getty Images
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