Fourth of July: Commemorating the birth of American independence

July 4 may seem like an ordinary date to some, but in the annals of American history, it holds immense importance. This day signifies a pivotal moment when the United States emerged as a sovereign nation following the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. (Source: AP/File)

While the Fourth of July has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, the tradition of celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American revolution. (Source: AP)

The festivities range from fireworks, parades, and concerts to family gatherings and barbecues. This year, it will be celebrated on Tuesday. (Source: AP)

The then President Bill Clinton, right, watches as a young American Bald Eagle named Freedom is released into the wild along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay by US Fish and Wildlife Biologist Craig Koppe during an Independence Day ceremony at Patuxent Naval Air Station, Md., July 4, 1996. (Source: AP/File)

While the first annual celebration of Independence Day happened on July 4, 1777, in Philadelphia, John Adams, a ‘Founding Father’ and the second president of the US, felt it should be celebrated on July 2. As such, he refused to attend the events of 4th of July, because he felt strongly about July 2 being the correct date. (Source: AP/File)

President George W Bush gestures during remarks at Monticello's 46th annual Independence Day celebration and naturalization ceremony in Charlottesville, Va, July 4, 2008. (Source: AP/File)

US Independence Day 2024, 4th July: Moreover, the Fourth of July holds a deeper significance beyond its festive elements. It serves as a reminder of the values of liberty, democracy, and independence that the United States was founded upon. (Source: AP/File)

On this day, Americans proudly display their national flag, don red, white, and blue attire, and participate in parades and ceremonies that pay tribute to the nation's history and the principles it stands for. (Source: AP)

For Americans, it is a time to come together as a nation, to celebrate the accomplishments and progress made, and to rekindle the commitment to the shared values that define the United States. Pictured here are travellers as they walk with their luggage through Union Station in Washington ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. (Source: AP)