Independence Day is the celebration of the colonies declaring the United States to be free and independent from Great Britain.

Thus the Declaration of Independence.

Historically, the Declaration of Independence was voted on and adopted on July 2, 1776.

It was sent to the printers, who completed it and dated it July 4, 1776. John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed it that day.

Congress celebrated independence on July 8, 1776.

Soldiers camped in New York heard about independence on July 9, 1776 and Savannah, Georgia heard on August 10, 1776.

Most of the Delegates signed the Declaration on August 2, 1776 and London finally heard about Independence August 24, 1776. The proclamation was finalized January, 1777.