1801: Thomas Jefferson presides over the first Fourth of July public reception at the White House. 1822: James Monroe hangs out at his farm in Virginia. 1826: Adams, the second president, and Presidents have held Fourth of July celebrations at the White House for over 200 years. In honor of July 4th, 2015, the President and First Lady will commemorate the occasion with the company of military families, rejoicing in freedom and love for our country. According to the White House Historical Association, in 1801, "President Thomas Jefferson who first established the traditions of a Fourth of July celebration at the White House. America celebrates its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. When Trump took office, he signed an executive order to create a task force for America250, a year-long celebration of the country's birthday A look at what some presidents have done on the Fourth of July: 1777: On the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with the Revolutionary War underway, a future president, John Adams, describes a day and night of spontaneous celebration in Philadelphia in a letter to his wife, Abigail. 1801 - President Jefferson presides over the first Fourth of July public reception at the White House with many others following during his two terms. 1809 - President Madison opens the White House to various “Heads of Departments.” President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Karen Pence and others stand as the US Army Band performs and the US Navy Blue Angels flyover at the end of an Celebrating Freedom: The Meaning of the Fourth of July Every year on July 4th, the skies light up with fireworks, families gather for backyard barbecues, and flags wave proudly in the summer breeze. But beyond the festivities, Independence Day is a powerful reminder of our country’s journey toward freedom and unity. 🇺🇸 A Glimpse Back in The Fourth of July: A Day of Celebration and Reflection for Presidents WASHINGTON—Throughout history, the Fourth of July has been a day for presidents to declare their independence from the public. Some have escaped to the beach, the mountains, the golf course, the farm, or the ranch. In the midst of the Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt even embarked on a fishing and working vacation in Hawaii. Here are five things to know about the Fourth of July, including the origin of the holiday and how fireworks became part of the tradition. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. President Thomas Jefferson held the first Fourth of July event at the White House in 1801, and modern Presidents have continued the tradition. Independence Day (United States) 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. Thomas Jefferson, one of two Presidents to sign the Declaration of Independence, started the White House tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July with the first Independence Day reception History of Independence Day History of the Fourth of July Did you know New York City has the biggest fireworks display in the United States and that three U.S. presidents died on July 4? The 4th of July is marked by fireworks, festive gatherings, and a strong sense of national pride. As you enjoy the holiday, test your knowledge with some fun Independence Day-themed clues from the Jeopardy! Vault. Let the challenge begin.*Quiz Rules: Respondents do not have to answer in the form of a question. Moderate spelling errors will receive consideration. No prizes, but big-time People should not do either this year, Derdarian said, as the fireworks could be triggering for some fire victims (and their pets). “People are starting the permit process to rebuild and recover. Here, see photos of U.S. presidents celebrating Independence Day through the years: 1914 President Woodrow Wilson gave a speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to mark the Fourth of July. James Monroe, the fifth president, also died on July 4, five years after Adams and Jefferson in 1831. The 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on the Fourth of July in 1872. As we approach our nation's 250th birthday, we'll have many opportunities to look beyond the bands and fireworks – and back on that Fourth of July. The past offered little guidance for President Donald Trump on whether to make a major policy announcement on the Fourth of July, although he has invited the B-2 Spirit pilots who flew the mission
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