Backing the fact is what Pennsylvania Evening Post published on 2nd July: “This day the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies Free and Independent States.” There is no one denying the fact that on July 2, 1976, the Second Continental Congress meeting voted to approve a resolution for independence from Britain but the only reason for celebrating independence day on July 4 is a contested assumption that Declaration of Independence document was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4.

According to the Washington Post, the first draft of the declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson and he then forwarded it to John Adams and benjamin Franklin for editing. Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed it on July 4 and according to the Post, it is now believed that most of the delegates signed it on August 2.

It goes on to add that the huge canvas painting by John Trumbull, hanging in the grand Rotunda of the US Capital depicting the signing of the declaration is a work of imagination.

Nevertheless, Americans are busy celebrating their independence day with typical festivities, ranging from sparkling display of fireworks, parades and concerts to family outings and barbeques. The tradition goes back to the 18^th century when during the American Revolution (1775-83), representatives of the 13 coloniesm fighting for their freedom, moved a resolution to declare their independence from Great Britain. It was only in 1941 that July 4^th was declared a paid federal holiday and since then it has became a major focus for leisure activities.