Why do we 4th of july

Since the holiday is always on July 4, the day of the week changes each year. To really understand the significance of the holiday, we need to rewind about years. Native Americans had already been living in North America for years, and a small colony of European immigrants had formed in Jamestown, Virginia, in the early s. But the story of Independence Day starts roughly around the time that the Mayflower sailed to America in although we typically associate that journey with the Thanksgiving holiday.

They left in search of religious freedom, searching for a place where they could live freely without judgment or persecution for their beliefs. In the fall of , they docked in what is now known as New England. Over the next few years, more Europeans made their way to North America and formed the 13 colonies. The colonists continued to live away from British rule for years, although tensions between the two steadily rose, until the American Revolution began in Thomas Lynch, Jr.

The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin, who was born in and 70 at the time of the Declaration. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, , the 50th anniversary of the vote to approve the Declaration of Independence. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. All rights reserved About Us. In the years to come, various cities continued the tradition of celebrating independence, holding picnics, parades, speeches and fireworks displays for the occasion, though Boston was the first to designate July 4 an official holiday in By the time Independence Day celebrations really took off after the War of another conflict pitting the United States against Britain , fireworks were even more widely available.

They would become an increasingly important part of the festivities in the years to come, as public safety concerns caused cannon and gunfire to be gradually phased out of celebrations. In , Congress established Independence Day as an official holiday. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you.