What made us pick the Fourth of July as our Independence Day?

Many people think of July 4 as the anniversary of the birth of our nation. But not everyone knows the order of events that led to the Fourth of July becoming recognized as a national holiday.

• The American Revolutionary War began in April 1775.
• The United States of America, via the Continental Congress, declared independence on July 2, 1776.
• The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written in June 1776.
• The Declaration of Independence was signed on August 2, 1776.
• The Declaration of Independence wasn't delivered to Great Britain until Nov. 1776.

None of those dates were selected as the United States of America's birthday.

Why did we celebrate the Fourth of July?

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. Some may say it was not the most monumental step in the process, but this date remained so significant because it was the date on the handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence.

This handwritten copy is still in the National Archives in Washington D.C. today with the date July 4, 1776. It's also believed by some that the deaths of founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, on July 4, 1826, helped establish this day as an important one in the history of the U.S.

Want more July 4 content?

• July 4 recipes
• Fourth of July activities
• Fourth of July traditions
• Find out why we celebrate with fireworks

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