What year was the 4th of July declared a national holiday? The answer to this question is not as straightforward as one might think. The Independence Day, celebrated on the 4th of July, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870, but the journey to its official recognition was a long and complex one.
The roots of Independence Day can be traced back to the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This document, signed by 56 delegates, declared the 13 American colonies’ independence from Great Britain. Despite the significance of this date, it took several years for the 4th of July to become a formal holiday.
In the early years following the Declaration of Independence, the celebration of the 4th of July was more of a local or regional affair. Different states celebrated the day in various ways, with some holding parades, speeches, and fireworks. However, it was not until 1870 that Congress passed an act making the 4th of July a national holiday, to be observed on that day each year.
The push for a national holiday came from a variety of sources. One of the main proponents was Representative John A. Logan of Illinois, who introduced a bill in Congress in 1866. Logan, a Union general during the Civil War, believed that the 4th of July should be a day of unity and reconciliation for the nation. His bill was eventually passed, and President Ulysses S. Grant signed it into law on June 14, 1870.
Despite the official recognition, the 4th of July did not become a federal holiday until 1941, when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This act was designed to provide more three-day weekends for workers and moved several holidays, including Independence Day, to Mondays. The change was met with some controversy, but it has since become a tradition for Americans to celebrate the holiday on the third Monday of July.
In conclusion, the 4th of July was declared a national holiday in 1870, although the celebration of the day dates back to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The journey to official recognition was a testament to the evolving nature of American patriotism and the importance of national unity.
