This is a big year for the US. We will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
We celebrate the Declaration of Independence on July 4 since this was the day that the Second Continental Congress approved the final draft in 1776. It was signed on August 2, 1776. The Revolutionary War did not start or end in 1776. It started in 1775 and ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and finalized by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Jefferson. To learn more about this holiday and the history of the country, here are some sites:
Fourth of July 2026: Celebrate with History, Traditions, and Recipes [Almanac]
Celebrating 250 Years of American History [U.S. Department of State]
American History From Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium [ushistory.org]
Celebrations on July 4 will include fireworks, parades, picnics, concerts, cookouts, fairs, festivals and more. Wearing red, white and blue clothing, and displaying the U.S. Flag are also part of the celebrations.