Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we'll be learning more about Independence Day. 欢迎收看WatchMojo.com，今天我们要了解更多有关美国国庆日的事。

Independence Day is an American national holiday that celebrates the adoption of the formal declaration of independence on July 4, 1776. 美国国庆日是庆祝1776年七月四日通过正式独立宣言的美国国定假日。

This landmark document decreed that the 13 colonies were no longer part of the British Empire and had become independent states. 此份具重大意义的文件判定十三个殖民地不再是大英帝国的一部分，且成为独立的州。

The declaration came about, thanks to Richard Henry Lee of Virginia who proposed its creation. 独立宣言诞生，多亏了提出其创作的维吉尼亚州的Richard Henry Lee。

Founding father John Adams advanced the idea of a manuscript, 建国之父John Adams提出了手稿的想法，

and the committee of five, led by chief author Thomas Jefferson, composed the written draft. 接着五人小组，由首席作者Thomas Jefferson领导，拟出了草稿。

Final edited version of the Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4. 独立宣言最终修订版本在七月四日通过。

In it was one of the most famous sentences in the English language, 在独立宣言里有英文这语言中这最知名的句子之一，

which outlined the belief system of this new country and became a cornerstone of American society: 那略述了这个新兴国家的信念系统，成为美国社会的基石：

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, 我们相信这些真理不言自明，

that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, 也就是人皆生而平等，他们由造物主赋予若干不可剥夺的权力，

that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. 其中包括生命、自由、及追求幸福的权力。

Celebrations of American independence have taken place since the adoption of the declaration. 美国独立的庆祝活动自独立宣言的正式通过后开始举行。

Meanwhile, the City of Philadelphia first laid the groundwork for today's celebrations 同时，费城首先奠定了今日庆祝活动的基础，

with fireworks, speeches, music, parades, and displays of red, white, and blue. 运用了烟火、演讲、音乐、游行、和红白蓝的摆设。

Eventually in 1938, the celebration became a paid federal holiday. All traditions continue as well. 最后在1938年，庆祝活动成了联邦的带薪假。所有传统也持续下去。

For example, at military bases, a 50-gun salute is fired to commemorate the independence of each of the 50 states. 举例来说，在军事基地，会鸣放五十响礼炮来个别纪念五十州的独立。

Today Independence Day is a prominent summertime event marked by shows of patriotism, outdoor activities, and tributes. 今天美国国庆日是由爱国主义的表演、户外活动、和敬意所标志的重要夏日活动。

There are also parades in the morning and firework displays at night. 早上也有游行，晚上则有烟火表演。

Plus the national anthem and other patriotic songs take center stage. 此外，国歌和其他爱国歌曲也是瞩目的焦点。

The holiday has become so popular, the first week of July is the busiest time of the year for travel in the United States, 这个节日变得如此受欢迎，因此七月的第一个礼拜是美国国内旅游最繁忙的时间，

as Americans extend the long weekend to celebrate the birth of America and a defining moment in American history. 因为美国人自行延长周末连假拿来庆祝美国的诞生、以及美国历史中决定性的一刻。

If you're interested in learning more about important moments in American history, be sure to tune in to WatchMojo.com. 如果你有兴趣认识更多美国历史中重要的时刻，一定要收看WatchMojo.com。