What happens on the 4th of July?

Happy Fourth of July!

Get the history behind this star-spangled celebration

JULY 03, 2014

By Lara Sokolowski

Confetti falls on concert-goers as they watch the Fourth of July Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 4, 2013.

Backyard barbecues. Boisterous parades. Bright, colorful firework displays. The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is anything but your average holiday.

A Historic Event

One of the most celebrated events in the United States, the Fourth marks the day that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The written statement declared that the 13 North American colonies intended to separate from Britain. 

A Patriotic Tradition

Many communities hold colorful parades complete with marching bands and patriotic speeches. Citizens hang American flags from their homes, and buildings are decorated in red, white, and blue. At night, booming firework displays, usually ending with a spectacular finale, can be seen at various parks and fairgrounds. Two of the biggest firework shows take place in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall, and in New York City, on the East River.

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