5 Things You May Not Know About Independence Day

As Americans celebrate their nation’s 248th birthday, here are five things you may not know about July 4 and its origins.

The U.S. Declaration of Independence is on display at Sotheby's in New York City, N.Y., on June 25, 2024. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

On July 4, Americans will observe the 248th birthday of the United States.

In 1776, members of the Second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia had already made a decision the impact of which would be felt around the world for centuries to come: the collective colonies agreed to declare their independence from Great Britain, at the time the most powerful nation on the planet.