Why Do We Celebrate the 4th of July?

A Quick History for Curious Kids and Families

Every year on July 4th, people across the United States celebrate with fireworks, picnics, music, and flags. But do you know why we celebrate this special day?

It All Started in 1776...

The country we now call the United States of America was made up of 13 colonies ruled by Great Britain, a country across the Atlantic Ocean. The people living in the colonies had to follow British laws, pay high taxes, and didn’t have much say in the government.

Many colonists felt this wasn’t fair. They wanted to make their own rules and choose their own leaders. So, in 1776, a group of leaders from the colonies, the Founding Fathers, came together to write a letter to King George III of Britain. That letter was called the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was mostly written by Thomas Jefferson, who became 3^rd U.S. President, and it included the words “all men are created equal.”

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The colonies declared they were now free and independent states. This was the birth of the United States of America!

The 4th of July became a day to remember the courage of the colonists who stood up for their freedom. It’s a time to feel proud of our country’s fight for liberty, justice, and a voice in the government.

Today, we celebrate with:

• 💥 Fireworks

• 🎺 Parades and music

• 🎺 Outdoor activities and picnics

•  Wearing red, white, and blue

Fun Fact

John Adams, one of the Founding Fathers, thought July 2nd (when the colonies voted for independence) would be the big holiday. But the final version of the Declaration wasn’t approved until July 4th, so that became the official day we celebrate! Happy 4th!