July 4, also known as Independence Day, marks the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the 13 North American colonies officially separated from Great Britain. As the Fourth of July draws nearer, here's a brief rundown of what happened that day in 1776, approximately 249 years ago.

The United States will mark 249 years of independence in 2025. This Fourth of July, people can explore a wide range of activities from fireworks and picnics to crafts and home projects.