Independence Day

When is Independence Day? We celebrate our country's independence on July 4th because the Declaration of Independence was dated July 4, 1776. But what really happened?

The Second Continental Congress began the debate on the Declaration of Independence on July 1, 1776, and voted for independence on July 2, 1776.

We celebrate independence on July 4th because the Declaration of Independence was dated July 4, 1776 even though it wasn't signed until August 2, 1776. The last person to sign the Declaration of Independence was Thomas McKean who didn't sign it until 1781.