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 it 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).
Members of Congress often make floor statements, issue press releases, or enter extensions 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:
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 since 1993 are available through the GovInfo service on the Government Publishing Office website. Earlier remarks (including selected audio and video clips) are available through, established by the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Additional speeches delivered by notable historical figures include the following:
Many federal agencies maintain statistics on Fourth of July events. Two examples are the following:
Numerous government resources provide information on the history and culture of the holiday. Some of these include the following:
| 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, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/301685. |
| 3. |
"John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776," Founders Online, U.S. National Archives and Records Service, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-02-02-0016. |
| 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. |