A little reason to celebrate
Independence Day
Federal holiday · History · July 4
The US federal holiday marking the Declaration of Independence, celebrated with parades, cookouts, flags and fireworks across the country.
Independence Day falls on Sunday, July 4, 2027. That is 250 days away.
Independence Day marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the document in which the thirteen American colonies announced they were breaking from British rule. It is a federal holiday, so many offices, schools and banks close, and a lot of the country gets the day off at once.
The day has a recognizable sound. Marching bands warm up on side streets. Screen doors bang as people carry bowls of potato salad out to the yard. After dark the fireworks begin, first the big municipal shows over parks and rivers, then the scattered pops from somewhere down the block that go on longer than anyone expects.
Much of the celebrating happens outdoors and close to home. Towns hold parades with fire trucks, veterans' groups, scout troops and kids on decorated bikes. Families gather for cookouts with hot dogs, burgers, corn and watermelon. Flags go up on porches, and red, white and blue shows up on everything from napkins to cupcakes. Some communities hold public readings of the Declaration, which is a fine thing to hear aloud, since it was written to be read to crowds.
The Declaration itself is shorter than many people assume. Its opening lines are famous, but the long middle section is a list of specific complaints against the king, and reading it gives a clearer picture of what the colonists were actually arguing about.
The night usually ends on a blanket in the grass, everyone looking up, waiting for the last and loudest burst of the show.
Ways to celebrate
- Watch your town's parade or public fireworks display.
- Read the Declaration of Independence aloud with family or friends.
- Host or join a backyard cookout with neighbors.
- Display an American flag on your porch or window.
- Visit a local historical site or museum.
Things for the day
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Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, July 4 |
| 2027 | Sunday, July 4 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, July 4 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, July 4 |
| 2030 | Thursday, July 4 |
Also on July 4
Categories: Federal holidaysHistory days