Happy Independence Day from our team at NationsClassroom Tours. Wherever you're located, we hope you're enjoying the day with family, friends, and barbecue. 

Even though we celebrate Independence Day on the fourth of July, there have been disagreements about the "true" independence day since 1776!

If you asked the Founding Father's when American's Independence Day should be celebrated, you'd likely receive many different answers.

On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress approved a resolution and declared independence from Great Britain. That evening, the local newspaper headlines declared that the colonies were free and independent states. Even future president John Adams wrote to his wife to say July 2nd would be the day America remembered declaring independence. 

The National Archives states that the document wasn't signed until August 2nd in a public signing ceremony. Historians believe the last signature comes from Thomas McKean of Delaware, and he didn't sign until after January 1777! 

So why do we celebrate July 4th? Even though the Continental Congress initially declared independence on July 2nd, it was two days later on July 4th that Congress agreed to all the edits on a document that would explain the political shift to the public. July 4th is written at the top of the Declaration of Independence because that was the date the last version of the document was approved.

Students can learn more about the Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence, and the American Revolution by traveling to Philadelphia. Students can tour Independence Hall to see where the Declaration was signed, and they can explore the Museum of the American Revolution to see how the Declaration shaped history.

If you're interested in seeing the Declaration of Independence in person, your itinerary should include a stop in Washington, D.C. as well! Call one of our Student Travel Consultants today to create a fully customized itinerary.