We Still Celebrate our Independence Day like we did in 1777

Why the 4th of July? On July 2nd, 1776, America’s Continental Congress voted to separate from Great Britain. Two days later, on July 4th, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence – written mainly by Thomas Jefferson.

The Declaration, however, wasn’t signed until August 2nd of the same year. But since July 2nd was the day when the Continental Congress voted to declare independence, John Adams wrote to his wife that the 2nd of July “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade . . . Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.”

Why then do we celebrate the 4th instead of the 2nd? Because the custom of celebrating the Declaration rather than the actual decision became a custom early on.

Previously, colonists had celebrated King George III’s birthday during the summer. In 1776, the King’s birthday wasn’t celebrated – rather, a mock funeral was held for him. And concerts, bonfires, parades, and the firing of cannons and muskets usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence. Then the next year, in 1777, Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration of independence on July 4th. Even George Washington – the leader of the Revolutionary forces - issued double rations of rum to all his soldiers to mark the anniversary in 1778. And so, through time, the Declaration of Independence became the focus of celebrations – July 4th – rather than the actual birth of the nation – July 2nd. Custom is often stronger than the actual history!

Did you know?The 4th of July has only been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941.

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