July 4th, also known as Independence Day, is the very famous American holiday where we all go to our front yards and blow up fireworks. But this holiday obviously means much more than exploding things.
It all started on July 4th, 1776, back when our 50 states were only 13 colonies. On that day, the colonies officially declared their independence from England with a document called The Declaration of Independence. The original Declaration of Independence is currently located in a case at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The Declaration of Independence wasn’t even celebrated until four days later, where the first public readings of the document were held in Philadelphia’s Independence Square. They celebrated with band music and the ringing of bells.
On July 4th, 1777, Philadelphia celebrated Independence Day by Congress coming together and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks. But Independence Day didn’t become a national holiday until 1870. Ever since then, America drew together and celebrated our country with delicious barbeques, fireworks and family time.