Independence Day

Independence Day is an American holiday, annually celebrated on July 4 with fireworks. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of when the Second Continental Congress voted (two days prior) to declare the thirteen colonies "free and independent States" and separate from the British Empire. [1]

History

In May 1997, when Dino Dracon's time bombs were safely detonated by the Manhattan Clan over the Hudson and East Rivers, Dominic Dracon heard the explosions and thought it was the fourth of July, until his granddaugther, Antoinette Dracon, corrected him. ("Cold Comfort")

Real World Background

The federal holiday commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776. John Adams, later second President of the United States, wrote to his wife Abigail that he believed the birth of the new country would be celebrated on July 2nd. [2] Despite Adams and Thomas Jefferson both insisting they at least signed the document on the July 4th, it is evident that the fifty-six signatories did not sign the document all at once, but over the course of the following month – with most signing it on August 2nd, 1776. [3]

See Also

• Independence Day at Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia