Why Is Independence Day Important

Independence Day, July Second 1776 July Fourth in the United States of America is the day that we as a nation celebrate our independence from the British Empire. Although Independence Day is celebrated on July Fourth, it should be celebrated on July Second, because that is the day that congress truly motioned for independence. There are many factors that led to July Fourth becoming the national holiday celebrated today. From misconceptions about the actual day of signing the Declaration, to delayed celebration due to the ongoing fight for independence. Also including the deaths of both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson on July Fourth, 1826 (Pahl pg. 214). Events such as this are said to have cemented the day into history more so than it ever …show more content…
It was not until “1870 [that] the first federal legislation was passed giving federal employees a "day off" from work, but without pay.”(Heintze) Now some say that the reason for this was the civil war and the want to reconnect the tattered nation under one thought of patriotism, but why wouldn’t they have made it an official holiday after the war of 1812? The war of 1812 only reassured our national pride and patriotism, plus it showed Britain once and for all that we wouldn’t tolerate them messing with us. This would have been the perfect time for Independence Day to become a national holiday, but the government non-action shows the lingering uncertainty of the holiday that was present in lawmakers and leaders of the time. While throughout the early 1800’s it was widely accepted that the Fourth was the day the Declaration was signed. Much debate had started right before the day became a national holiday due to the findings that John Adams memory had served him wrong as to when the Declaration was signed. The irony was that Adams had originally thought that the Second would forever be celebrated yet his own autobiography seemingly helped the Fourth gain national