MIAMI. – This July 4th, USA celebrates the Day of the IndependenceThe origins of this date date back to 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, after the separation from the United Kingdom was voted on July 2 of that year.
The document called the “Lee Resolution” announced the will of the 13 colonies to become independent from Great Britain.
“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another (…), a decent respect to the judgment of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation,” stated the beginning of the document that was drafted by the Committee of Five: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston.
Congress issued a printed statement announcing to the citizens that the United States would become an independent country. 200 copies were printed and left the printing press of publisher John Dunlap two days after the vote, which is why it reads at the top and has gone down in history: “In Congress, July 4, 1776.”
Celebration with pomp
As early as 1776, John Adams, who later became the second president of USA (1797-1801), glimpsed the scope of the celebration of independence.
In a letter to his wife, dated July 2, he said: “It will be the most memorable time in the history of America. I am convinced that it will be celebrated by the coming generations as the great anniversary festival… It should be solemnized with pump and parade, with shows, games, sports, weapons, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward and forever.”
Although along the way more discreet or less formal ones were also proposed, to date on the Day of the Independence the nuance is the fireworks, the lights, the color and different events.
The fireworks light show was brought to the United States by Italian immigrants in the 18th century.
Source: National Geographic / International Day Portal
