It is USA's 239th Independence Day today!
It's been 239 years since America got freedom from British rule on 4 July 1776 and Americans are all set to celebrate the national holiday with great pomp and show. President Pranab Mukherjee has extended his warm greetings to US President Barack Obama and all Americans. Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan was invited at US consulate in Mumbai as the Guest of Honor.
Legal separation of thirteen colonies of America from Britain was announced on 2 July 1776 during the American Revolution. Before this separation, a resolution of Independence was proposed by Richard Henry Lee in June 1776 and was approved by the second Continental Congress. The Declaration of Independence was signed on 4 July 1776 by 56 signatories including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
Three US Presidents have died on the birthday of their country. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson who had signed the Declaration of Independence, both died within hours of each other on 4 July 1826.
Every year the federal holiday of US Independence Day - 4 July is celebrated with millions of people hitting the roads and thousands of fireworks in the sky. Stores in USA offer huge discounts and sales in the name of patriotism. People go for picnics, organise feasts and play games like baseball etc. to celebrate the historic day.
Comedian Chris Rock started off a controversy with his tweet about the 4 July holiday. Rock tweeted, "Happy white peoples independence day, the slaves weren't free but I'm sure they enjoyed fireworks." While some people quickly jumped in for Rock's defence citing humour in his tweet, others slammed him for not being patriotic. Rock, however was quite unaffected with the backlashing going on.
Celebrations of US Independence Day at a US Air Force Camp in Britain were cancelled following the risk of a terrorist attack. The event was cancelled by the camp following attacks in Kuwait, France and Tunisia last week and the upcoming 10th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings. The decision was taken after London emergency service undertook a training exercise to prepare themselves beforehand.
