On July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies claimed their independence from Great Britain, an event that eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on the Fourth of July, also known Need the perfect words for your 4th of July card? These 100 Independence Day messages include patriotic quotes, funny greetings, and heartfelt wishes for every type of card. We celebrate the Declaration of Independence for two reasons. This document represents an official severing of ties between the original 13 colonies and the rule of Great Britain. But it also The short answer is no, the military generally does not get the 4th of July off. While efforts are made to provide some downtime and celebrate, the operational needs of the armed forces often mean that service members are still on duty, performing essential tasks and maintaining readiness. On Friday, July 4, 2025, the National Archives will hold its annual Fourth of July program on the steps on Constitution Avenue, featuring family-friendly activities, historical reenactments—including a reading of the Declaration of Independence—and a salute to 250 years of the United States Military—the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps all turn 250 in 2025—with special performances by Fourth of July celebrations in Bristol, Rhode Island began long before the day became a federal holiday. This national holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when the original thirteen colonies formally declared their separation from British rule. Today, it’s one of the most widely observed holidays in the U.S., marked by fireworks, parades, barbecues, and patriotic displays across the country. A: Yes, military personnel often participate in parades, ceremonies, and other events during July 4th celebrations. They are honored for their service, but the holiday’s focus remains on the broader celebration of independence. The U.S. Army observes U.S. federal holidays and typically authorizes a training holiday to coincide with each federal holiday to provide four-day weekends. These are called days of no-scheduled activity, or DONSAs, and can be impacted by training and mission requirements. Independence Day is observed on Thursday, July 4, this year, and is considered a federal holiday. In total, 2025 has 12 federal holidays across 11 days, according to the Office of Personnel In 1870 the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal workers, and in 1938 it became a paid federal holiday. Also called the Fourth of July, the holiday is celebrated across the United States with parades, fireworks shows, picnics, concerts, and other festivities. The 4th of July is a special time to honor and celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. To show their gratitude, many businesses across the United States offer exclusive military discounts during this Independence Day holiday. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a meal out, gear up for summer, or plan a memorable outing with The Fourth of July is not a designated day for military remembrance. Veterans Day and Memorial Day are the more appropriate holidays for honoring military service and sacrifice. Service members and families are being honored with a variety of military discounts to celebrate July 4th. × July 4th, 2025 is a federal holiday. All non-essential federal employees are off work in observance of Independence Day. Read more about Federal Holidays! Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America. Independence Day, or the Fourth of July as it is often called, is a US Federal Holiday and Military Holiday, that is always celebrated on July 4th. It is also the National Day for the United States, which according to Wikipedia, "is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation, or non-sovereign Country. The 4th of July is not a military holiday. It is a celebration of the United States’ independence and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Contents Three federally recognized three-day weekends remain in 2025: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates military personnel who List of 2025 and 2026 Federal Holidays. There are eleven federal holidays recognized by the US government. View all holidays and download printable holidays table.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |