HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Independence Day 2025

New York, July 4, 2024, Kim Dynasty

The 4th of July originated from the events surrounding the American Revolution, a conflict between the thirteen American colonies and Great Britain in the late 18th century. By the 1760s and 1770s, the American colonies grew increasingly unhappy with British rule. Key issues included heavy taxation without representation in the British Parliament (e.g., the Stamp Act and Tea Act). Frustrated by British policies, the colonies began organizing resistance, such as the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Tensions escalated into armed conflict with the first battles of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord in April 1775. In 1776, the Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia to formalize the colonies' break from Britain.

On July 2, 1776, the Congress voted in favor of independence. Two days later, on July 4, the final version of the Declaration of Independence, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted. The first formal Independence Day celebrations took place in 1777, a year after the Declaration was signed. They included bonfires, parades, and fireworks. Over time, the 4th of July became an annual holiday, and Congress declared it a federal holiday in 1870. The Declaration of Independence remains a foundational document in U.S. history. It articulated the colonies' grievances against the British Crown and the principles of liberty and equality.