Independence Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Independence Day Speech Resources:
Fact Sheet
Updated June 6, 2024
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R44076
Independence Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Introduction
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 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.
History
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 officially adopted on July 4, 1776, the
vote by the Continental Congress to approve the Declaration of Independence 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).
Legislation
16 Stat. 168, June 28, 1870.
52 Stat. 1246, June 29, 1938. [Page 1,287 of PDF]
P.L. 86-362, September 22, 1959.
CRS Report
CRS Report R41990, Federal Holidays: Evolution and Current Practices, by Jacob R. Straus.
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, at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/301685.
3 “John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776,” Founders Online, U.S. National Archives and Records Service, at
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-02-02-0016.
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Independence Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Selected Congressional Speeches and Recognitions
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:
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.
Senator Joe Manchin, “Manchin Wishes West Virginians a Happy, Safe Independence Day,” press
release, June 30, 2023.
Representative Nick LaLota, “Proud to Be an American,” press release, June 29, 2023.
Senator Ben Cardin, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” press release, July 11, 2022.
Representative Steve Cohen, “Congressman Cohen Commemorates Independence Day,” press
release, July 1, 2022.
Representative Tom Cole, “American Perseverance,” press release, July 1, 2022.
Senator John Thune, “Proud to Be an American,” press release, July 1, 2022.
Representative Steny Hoyer, “Hoyer Statement Celebrating July 4th,” press release, July 4, 2021.
Senator Joni Ernst, “Freedom Rings on This Independence Day,” press release, July 2, 2021.
Representative Steven Horsford, “Congressman Steven Horsford Celebrates American
Independence Day,” press release, July 4, 2020.
Senator Deb Fischer, “Fourth of July,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 166 (July 1,
2020), p. S4129.
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks
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—Joseph R. Biden Jr. (2021- ).
Presidential Proclamations—Donald J. Trump (2017-2021).
Presidential Proclamations—Barack H. Obama (2009-2017).
Presidential Proclamations—George W. Bush (2001-2009).
Presidential Proclamations—William J. Clinton (1993-2001).
Presidential proclamations and remarks from 1993 to the present 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.
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Independence Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Notable Independence Day Speeches
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 Of July Address,” delivered on July 4, 1941. [Audio]
Statistics
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 2023.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (via USA.gov), Firework Injury Stats and Safety
Tips.
Historical and Cultural Resources
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 historic 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.” 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 United States flag.
Smithsonian Institution, “Independence Day: July 4th.” In this resource, the Smithsonian
showcases its Fourth of July collections.
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Independence Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Author Information
Caitlin Curran
Senior Knowledge Management Librarian
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or
material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to
copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
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