The Fourth of July (Independence Day) marks the day the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress in 1776. The declaration allowed the 13 American colonies to gain independence and separate from Great Britain. The Fourth of July officially became a federal holiday in 1870 by Congress. Take a look at our gallery of agencies across the government in celebration of Independence Day!
Happy Independence Day! 🎆 🇺🇸 Did you know? Thomas Jefferson wrote “fellow subjects” in a draft of the Declaration of Independence before changing it to “fellow citizens." Read about how the Library Preservation Research & Testing Division discovered it: https://t.co/qp3KO0Bsk5pic.twitter.com/hzam57F1sL
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) July 4, 2023
The Library of Congress shares a piece of history on Independence Day.