The U.S. Celebrates its Independence Day on July 4

President Barack Obama speaks to military families on the South Lawn of the White House during an Independence Day celebration on July 4, 2009. (DoD photo by Elaine Wilson)

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.

Resources:

• Independence Day Greetings from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
• Live Streaming Fireworks Show
• Interesting Facts about the 4th of July - from the Census Bureau
• Independence Day in the United States (Embassy brochure)
• Lady Liberty: 125 Years as Icon of Freedom
• History of U.S. Independence Day Celebrations - from About the USA
• The Declaration of Indepencence (In Japanese)
• The U.S. Constitution (In Japanese)

Fireworks over the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck appeared at an Embassy July 4 celebration in Tokyo.