Known now as a day of patriotism and enjoying time off from work, the Fourth of July began the journey to becoming a quintessential American holiday in 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The Fourth of July holiday, also known as Independence Day, celebrates the Second Continental Congress’ unanimous adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. A year later, according to the Library of Congress,

Independence Day parades, another Joey Chestnut win and fireworks marked Friday's Fourth of July celebrations across the U.S. The big picture: Millions of Americans traveled for the holiday, facing sweltering heat,