Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day, America.

In case you’ve forgotten:

• The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, declaring the 13 colonies’ independence from Great Britain.
• An original of the Declaration of Independence may be seen at the National Archives (free entry). It’s on view along with the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and one of the few remaining copies of the Magna Carta.
• Congress officially declared the Fourth of July a national holiday in 1870 for federal workers (without pay) and the District of Columbia. Americans celebrated the occasion but it wasn’t declared a federal holiday until 1941.
• Bristol, Rhode Island has the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the country. In 1777, thirteen guns were fired in the morning and the evening to mark the thirteen colonies’ declaration of freedom.

The National Archives is one of the most interesting and historic places to visit in Washington, DC. One realizes what a young country the U.S. is as well as the extraordinary significance of the brave founders of the country who took a stand on basic human rights. 

Enjoy your celebration!