Independence Day: 5 facts about July 4th, the most patriotic of American holidays

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/independence-day-5-facts-about-july-4th-the-most-patriotic-of-american-holidays-10361574.html

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Fire up the grill and gas up the boat, 4 July is nearly upon us.

Independence Day is the most patriotic of American holidays, a celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The intervening 239 years have eroded the novelty of independence, but not the celebration of freedom in the US. Most Americans have the day off from work and many use that day off to justify a vacation.

But Independence Day was not always cook outs and lake days, and it was not always known as Independence Day. Check out these five facts about 4 July.

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