July 4th, often referred to as the Fourth of July, is Independence Day in the United States. July 4, 1776, is the day that the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and separated the colonies from Great Britain.
The Declaration of Independence established a framework for what would eventually become the Constitution, and many Americans are familiar with this famous line:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
While many Americans immediately began to celebrate their independence, Fourth of July celebrations weren’t widespread until the 1800s, and it wasn’t a federal holiday until 1860. In 1941, the law was amended to make it a paid holiday for federal employees.
Many July 4th celebrations have remained the same for generations. Fireworks shows are perhaps the most iconic, with many celebrating in their own backyards, traveling to visit local shows, or tuning in on TV to watch shows like the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks.
Cities, towns and villages across the country also organize parades. Friends and family come together to barbecue and have picnics, and everywhere you look there are red, white and blue decorations.
While Yonkers Public Library is closed today, you can always check out our online catalog and find a great ebook or audiobook to read today on Libby!
Alison Robles is a part-time page at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction and fantasy. A Yonkers native, she graduated from Iona University in 2020 with a dual-degree in Marketing and Public Relations. She is pursuing a Masters in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo.