On 4th July 1776, the United States of America was founded, the country was declared as a different nation, after the separation from the British Empire.
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July, 1776. As per the Government Publishing Office, “After July 4, 1778, the thirteen American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire but now the United States of America.”
Also read: Sir Ludwig Guttmann’s 122nd Birthday: Here’s why he is known as the “Father of Paralympics”
The Library of Congress explains, “The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States, however, the Declaration, with its eloquent assertion 'all Men are created equal,' is equally beloved by the American people.”
Barbara Clark Smith, a curator of political history at the National American History told an English news organization that it was an “extraordinary achievement for these colonists to get together, to found the founding declaration.”
She added, “They did find a way to put differences aside and join together to work for a common goal while declaring independence, they also declared interdependence.”
How the first Independence Day was celebrated by the USA:
Some of the Americans started celebrating 4th July after the Declaration of Independence was signed. The day became widely popular among the Americans after the War of 1812. By the 1870s it was the most important non-religious holiday for Americans and the law making Independence Day a federal holiday was passed by Congress on June 28, 1870.
Also Read: Google doodle honors Sir Ludwig Guttmann on his birth anniversary
Who penned down the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration of Independence was penned down by Thomas Jefferson and his four mates – Admas, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston. The committee was made in 1776 and its task was to draft a declaration, which was later signed by 56 men.
The main man behind the drafting was Thomas Jefferson who called for “unalienable rights”, which included ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’
The Declaration of Independence consists of five parts – the introduction, the preamble, the body (which has two sections) and the conclusion.
Celebrations of Independence Day this year:
This year, the Americans would celebrate Independence with double happiness, first, to celebrate the creation of the nation and second to celebrate the gathering after successfully receiving the Covid-19 jabs. As earlier, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention released the guidelines which stated that the ‘fully vaccinated US citizens can attend gathering without masks or practicing social distancing.’
On Sunday, nation’s President Joe Biden would host a group of essential workers and military families on the South Lawn of the White House.
The National Park Service would celebrate the annual Independence Day with fireworks on the National Mall.