History of Independence Day

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Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America that commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under England's King George III rule. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. The history of Independence day starts on 1774, when the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to form the First Continental Congress without declaring war.

In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord, Massachusetts, Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets. The battle of Concord would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.

The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war.

By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration.

To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence.

The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells.

And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4,1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate the 4th of July.