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Independence Day is the birthday of the United States of America. It is celebrated on July 4 each year in the United States. It is the anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress - July 4, 1776.

Independence Day was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. In 1941, Congress declared July 4 a federal legal holiday.

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy. By proclamation of President Benjamin Harrison, the pledge was first used on October 12, 1892, during Columbus Day observances in the public schools. The original wording of the pledge was as follows:

I pledge allegiance to my flag and to
the republic for which it stands:
one nation, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.

The pledge was amended subsequently by the substitution of the words "the flag of the United States of America" for the phrase "my flag." The newly worded pledge was adopted officially on Flag Day, June 14, 1924. By joint resolution of Congress the pledge was further amended in 1954 by the addition of the words "under God." This is how the pledge now reads:

I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands:
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

When reciting the pledge of allegiance, civilians should stand at attention or with the right hand over the heart. Men should remove their hats. Armed services personnel in uniform face the flag and give the military salute.

"Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States,"
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.

In early days, Independence Days were occasions for shows, games, sports, military music, and fireworks. Fireworks and firing of guns and cannon caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries each year. In the early 1900's, many people began to plead for a "safe and sane Fourth." As a result, many cities and states passed laws forbidding the sale of fireworks.

National Council on Fireworks Safety, Inc.

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