VOA文化艺术2024--Independence Day in the US

The United States celebrates its Independence Day on July 4.

John Adams, who later became America's second president, wrote to his wife in 1776 that the day would be remembered with fireworks and celebrations "from one End of this Continent to the other."

But the day he was talking about was July 2, 1776, not July 4. July 2 is the day the Continental¹ Congress of the original 13 colonies voted for independence from Britain. Congress did not officially sign the Declaration of Independence, mainly written by Thomas Jefferson, until two days later.

First July 4 celebration

Pauline Maier was a historian who wrote the 1997 book American Scripture²: Making the Declaration of Independence. She wrote that in early July of 1777, members of the Continental Congress nearly forgot that it had been a year since they declared their freedom from the British.

They remembered on July 3. It was too late to celebrate on July 2. So, they decided³ to mark the country's independence with a celebration the following day: July 4.

The Pennsylvania Evening Post of Philadelphia reported, "Yesterday the 4th of July, being the anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America, was celebrated⁴ in this city with demonstrations⁵ of joy and festivity."

At night, the Post said, "There was a grand exhibition of fireworks...and the city was beautifully illuminated⁶."

Becoming official holiday

The tradition of celebrating Independence Day started to expand after the War of 1812 against Britain. Such celebrations were mostly held on July 4.

John Adams, however, still believed that Americans should celebrate their independence on July 2. Historians say Adams reportedly turned down invitations to take part in July 4 events until the day he died. Adams died on July 4, 1826.

That same day, Thomas Jefferson also died. The two men and former presidents were friends as well as rivals. They both died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th an official holiday.

Modern-day celebrations

In July 1776, the U.S. was a country of 2.5 million people. It is now a country of 336 million, the U.S. Census⁷ reports. These days, Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and other festivities.

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, organizers are holding a 16-day festival of fireworks, music, and food to celebrate "America's birthday in America's birthplace!"

But the biggest Fourth of July fireworks show is in New York City. It can be seen in the neighboring states of New Jersey⁸ and Connecticut. It is also broadcast nationwide on television.

The small village of Lewes, Delaware celebrates the holiday and its coastal⁹ history with the Independence Day Boat Parade.

In Los Angeles, California, movie lovers can choose to celebrate the holiday by watching old Hollywood films from the grassy¹⁰ area of the historic Hollywood Forever cemetery¹¹.

And far north in Anchorage, Alaska, Independence Day traditions include food, games and late-night fireworks. With 19 hours of daylight this time of year, the fireworks show does not start until midnight.

Words in This Story

original - adj. happening or existing at the beginning

illuminated - adj. lit by bright lights

rival - n. someone who is as good as one tries to defeat

1 continental   

adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的

参考例句：

• A continental climate is different from an insular one.大陆性气候不同于岛屿气候。
• The most ancient parts of the continental crust are 4000 million years old.大陆地壳最古老的部分有40亿年历史。

2 scripture   

n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段

参考例句：

• The scripture states that God did not want us to be alone.圣经指出上帝并不是想让我们独身一人生活。
• They invoked Hindu scripture to justify their position.他们援引印度教的经文为他们的立场辩护。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

5 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

6 illuminated   

adj.被照明的；受启迪的

参考例句：

• Floodlights illuminated the stadium. 泛光灯照亮了体育场。
• the illuminated city at night 夜幕中万家灯火的城市

7 census   

n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查

参考例句：

• A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。
• The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。

8 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

9 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

10 grassy   

adj.盖满草的；长满草的

参考例句：

• They sat and had their lunch on a grassy hillside.他们坐在长满草的山坡上吃午饭。
• Cattle move freely across the grassy plain.牛群自由自在地走过草原。

11 cemetery   

n.坟墓，墓地，坟场

参考例句：

• He was buried in the cemetery.他被葬在公墓。
• His remains were interred in the cemetery.他的遗体葬在墓地。