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Independence Day, often called the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday recognizing the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America.This guide is designed to assist congressional offices with work related to Independence Day events. It contains links to census and demographic information, CRS reports, sample speeches and remarks from the Congressional Record, and presidential proclamations and remarks. It also contains links to selected historical and cultural resources.
On July 4, 1777, the first anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence was marked by a nearly spontaneous celebration in Philadelphia, as described in a letter by John Adams to his daughter, Abigail "Nabby" Adams.1 Although the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, the vote by the Continental Congress to approve the Declaration of Independenceit occurred two days prior, on July 2, 1776.2 Adams originally predicted that celebrations would occur annually on this earlier date, as noted in a letter to his wife, Abigail Adams, in 1776:
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. —I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.3
After that initial celebration in 1777, the traditional observance of Independence Day on the Fourth of July took hold, becoming commonplace after the War of 1812.
Congress declared July 4 an official holiday in the District of Columbia in 1870 (16 Stat. 168) and a paid holiday for federal employees in 1938 (52 Stat. 1246).
16 Stat. 168, June 28, 1870.
52 Stat. 1246, June 29, 1938.
P.L. 86-362, September 22, 1959.
CRS Report R41990, Federal Holidays: Evolution and Current Practices, by Jacob R. Straus.
CRS Report R48473, Congressional Involvement in the Celebration of Anniversaries of the Declaration of Independence, by Jacob R. Straus.
Members of Congress often make floor statements, issue press releases, or enter Extensions of Remarksextensions of remarks into the Congressional Record to recognize federal holidays and observances. The following are some recent examples that may be of assistance in preparing such statements:
Senator Amy Klobuchar, "Independence Day Statement," press release, July 4, 2024.
Senator Deb Fischer, "Independence Day: A Call for Renewed Patriotism,"John Curtis, "Curtis Announces 250-Mile Walk for America's 250th Anniversary," press release, June 28, 2024.
Representative Chip Roy, "Celebrating Independence DayRon Estes, "Honoring America 250 and the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Bench Dedication in Wichita," Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 170 (June 27, 2024), p. H4405.
Senator Mike Crapo, "Independence Day," press release, July 3, 2023.
Representative Abigail Spanberger, "Spanberger Statement Ahead of Independence Day 2023," press release, June 30, 2023.
Representative Nick LaLota, "Proud to Be an American," press release, June 29, 2023.
Representative Steve Cohen, "Congressman Cohen Commemorates Independence Day," press release, July 1, 2022.
Senator John Thune, "Proud to Be an American," press release, July 1, 2022.
Senator Joni Ernst, "Freedom Rings on This Independence Day," press release, July 2, 2021.
One of the many uses of a presidential proclamation is to ceremoniously honor a group or call attention to certain issues or events. Some recent proclamations commemorating Independence Day from the Compilation of Presidential Documents include the following:
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks—Donald J. Trump (2025-).4
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks—Joseph R. Biden Jr. (2021-2025).
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks—Donald J. Trump (2017-2021).5
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks—Barack H. Obama (2009-2017).
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks—George W. Bush (2001-2009).
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks—William J. Clinton (1993-2001).
Presidential proclamations and remarks from 1993 to the presentsince 1993 are available through the GovInfo service on the Government Publishing Office website. Earlier remarks (including selected audio and video clips) are available through The American Presidency Project, established by the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Additional speeches delivered by notable historical figures include the following:
John Quincy Adams, "Speech on Independence Day," delivered on July 4, 1821.
Frederick Douglass, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?," delivered on July 5, 1852.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Fourth Ofof July Address," delivered on July 4, 1941. [Audio]
Many federal agencies maintain statistics on Fourth of July events. Two that may be useful are
U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features: The Fourth of July 2024.
examples are the following:
Numerous government resources provide information on the history and culture of the holiday. Some of these include the following:
U.S. Department of State, "Independence Day, July 4." Pamphlet includes the history of Independence Day, the Liberty Bell, and the song "America, The Beautiful" (with sheet music).
National Park Service, "National Mall Independence Day Celebration." Includes information about the July 4 fireworks show on the National Mall, the history and culture of the event, and activities for kids.
Library of Congress, "Today in History: July 4." A presentation of historichistorical facts about July 4 highlighted by items from the Library's American Memory collections.
Library of Congress, "Patriotic Melodies." A collection of articles that tell the story behind many patriotic songs, including links to digital audio and additional sound recordings.
National Archives and Records Administration, "The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription."Transcription." An official transcript of the full text of the Declaration of Independence, including a list of the 56 signatures that appear on the original document.
GPO, "Our Flag." A resource from the Federal Citizen Information Center with the history of, and related facts about, the U.S. flag.
Smithsonian Institution, "Independence Day: July 4th." In this resource, the Smithsonian showcases its Fourth of July collections.
| 1. |
"John Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 5 July 1777," Founders Online, U.S. National Archives and Records Service, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-02-02-0216. |
| 2. |
"Adoption of the Resolution Calling for Independence from England" (July 2, 1776) in the Papers of the Continental Congress, U.S. National Archives and Records Service, |
| 3. |
"John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776," Founders Online, U.S. National Archives and Records Service, |
| 4. |
Link provides access to proclamations, statements, and remarks made by President Trump during both of his nonconsecutive terms, where available. |
| 5. |
Link provides access to proclamations, statements, and remarks made by President Trump during both of his nonconsecutive terms, where available. |