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World Fragile X Day

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FRAXA Research Foundation - Finding a Cure for Fragile X Syndrome

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Every year on July 22, FRAXA Research Foundation and partners celebrate World Fragile X Day with communities around the world. Join Us!
World Fragile X Day (WFXD) celebrates families impacted by Fragile X syndrome and highlights advancements of research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure. On World Fragile X Day we shine a light on Fragile X by illuminating monuments and landmarks around the world. We gather with friends and family to celebrate loved ones who shine in the face of Fragile X. FRAXA launched World Fragile X Day in 2021 uniting Fragile X families and organizations all around the world.

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Celebrate World Fragile X Day on July 22, uniting communities globally. Join the illumination team, request proclamations, or fundraise to support Fragile X research. Every action brings us closer to a cure.

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Fourth of July - Independence Day

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Table of Contents

1. History of Independence Day

2. Early Fourth of July Celebrations and Traditions&nbsp;&nbsp;

3. Fourth of July Fireworks

4. Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday

5. Photo Gallery: The Founding Fathers

The Fourth of July-also known as Independence Day or July 4th-has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The Fourth of July 2023 is on Tuesday, July 4.

History of Independence Day

When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical.

By the middle of the following year, however, many more colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet " Common Sense," published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

On June 7, when the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, the Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the colonies' independence.

Amid heated debate, Congress postponed the vote on Lee's resolution, but appointed a five-man committee-including Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York-to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain.

Did you know? John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826-the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee's resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote (the New York delegation abstained, but later voted affirmatively). On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 "will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival" and that the celebration should include "Pomp and Parade...Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other."

On July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Jefferson. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.

Early Fourth of July Celebrations and Traditions

In the pre-Revolutionary years, colonists had held annual celebrations of the king's birthday, which traditionally included the ringing of bells, bonfires, processions and speechmaking. By contrast, during the summer of 1776 some colonists celebrated the birth of independence by holding mock funerals for King George III as a way of symbolizing the end of the monarchy's hold on America and the triumph of liberty.

Festivities including concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of cannons and muskets usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence, beginning immediately after its adoption. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still occupied with the ongoing war.

George Washington issued double rations of rum to all his soldiers to mark the anniversary of independence in 1778, and in 1781, several months before the key American victory at the Battle of Yorktown, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.

After the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to commemorate Independence Day every year, in celebrations that allowed the new nation's emerging political leaders to address citizens and create a feeling of unity. By the last decade of the 18th century, the two major political parties-the Federalist Party and Democratic-Republicans-that had arisen began holding separate Fourth of July celebrations in many large cities.

Fourth of July Fireworks

The first fireworks were used as early as 200 BC. The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4 of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ship's cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: "at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated." That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.

Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday

The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.

Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism.

Falling in mid-summer, the Fourth of July has since the late 19th century become a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family get-togethers, often involving fireworks and outdoor barbecues. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is " The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States.

HISTORY Vault: The Revolution

Photo Gallery: The Founding Fathers

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

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History of the Fourth of July - Brief History, Early Celebrations & Traditions

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The Fourth of July-also known as Independence Day or July 4th-has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. The tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.

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National Disability Independence Day - July 26

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It's the Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act

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International Nelson Mandela Day - July 18th

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What is the World Day for International Justice being celebrated today?

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International Non-Binary People's Day - July 14th

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July 14 is recognized around the world as International Non-Binary People's Day. This occasion shines a light on those who identify as non-binary and celebrates the rich diversity of the community.

The term " non-binary " describes someone who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary folks may identify as being both a man and a woman or as falling completely outside these categories. Many non-binary people also identify as transgender, though not all do.

While American culture may reinforce the notion that gender exists as a strict binary, we know there is so much more to it. Non-binary people show us every day that knowing one's self and identity is a powerful thing that no one can strip away. There's a lot of work to be done in securing full protections and rights for our non-binary siblings, but amid that work we must take time to celebrate as well.
In honor of International Non-Binary Day, we asked HRC staff - all of whom are members of HRC's Transgender, Ally and Gender-Expansive Staff Employee Resource Group - to share what non-binary visibility means to them.
"Telling our stories and being visible as non-binary people is incredibly important. For a long time, I didn't know it was possible to even be non-binary because of the lack of non-binary representation in the world around me. Knowing that there are lots of other non-binary folks out there - and that there always have been - is both empowering and joyful. For me, embracing my non-binary identity means that I'm able to be myself without compromising any part of who I am. Non-binary people are here, and we're here to stay." - Madeleine Roberts | HRC Assistant Press Secretary | Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs

"For me, being non-binary is about celebrating my authentic self and honoring my South Asian roots. When I was younger, I was shamed for expressing my gender authentically, having "boyish" interests, and not behaving in a way that my family, teachers and classmates expected me to based on my sex assigned at birth, which led me to repress this side of myself for a long time. As I grew older, learned more and felt safer, I felt more comfortable in reclaiming and expressing my gender identity. I felt empowered when I studied South Asian history and learned about the various gender identities and expressions which existed in our society long before British colonizers criminalized them, realizing that there have always been people who looked like me and shared gender identities similar to mine. I hope that people who are not non-binary can understand that there is no one way to look or present as non-binary, and that we are not a new fad - in fact, we've existed longer than the gender binary has!" - Pallavi Rudraraju | HRC Youth Well-Being Program Coordinator | Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs

"As a trans woman, I continue to learn from my non-binary siblings every day, siblings who often face unique obstacles in their daily lives because they are non-binary. For example, HRC Foundation research shows that non-binary youth are about half as likely to be out to various people in their lives compared to trans boys and girls, often because their identities are invalidated for being neither exclusively 'boy' or 'girl.' That being said, non-binary folks teach me and remind me every day that the gender binary imposes strict rules for how all of us should behave, look, think, or dress - trans, non-binary or otherwise - yet gender, gender identity and gender expression do not have to be confined to those strict rules. The liberation of trans and non-binary people, and all people really, from the gender binary is closely linked to deconstructing it, and non-binary people should be centered in leading that effort." - Charleigh Flohr, M.P.P. | HRC Foundation Research Manager | Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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Celebrating International Non-Binary Day 2020

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July 14 is recognized around the world as International Non-Binary People's Day. This occasion shines a light on those who identify as non-binary and celebrates the rich diversity of the community. The term " non-binary " describes someone who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman.

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World Population day - July 11

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Human Population Through Time #datavisualization

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International Non-Binary People's Day

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July 14 is recognized around the world as International Non-Binary People's Day. This occasion shines a light on those who identify as non-binary and celebrates the rich diversity of the community.

The term " non-binary " describes someone who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary folks may identify as being both a man and a woman or as falling completely outside these categories. Many non-binary people also identify as transgender, though not all do.

While American culture may reinforce the notion that gender exists as a strict binary, we know there is so much more to it. Non-binary people show us every day that knowing one's self and identity is a powerful thing that no one can strip away. There's a lot of work to be done in securing full protections and rights for our non-binary siblings, but amid that work we must take time to celebrate as well.
In honor of International Non-Binary Day, we asked HRC staff - all of whom are members of HRC's Transgender, Ally and Gender-Expansive Staff Employee Resource Group - to share what non-binary visibility means to them.
"Telling our stories and being visible as non-binary people is incredibly important. For a long time, I didn't know it was possible to even be non-binary because of the lack of non-binary representation in the world around me. Knowing that there are lots of other non-binary folks out there - and that there always have been - is both empowering and joyful. For me, embracing my non-binary identity means that I'm able to be myself without compromising any part of who I am. Non-binary people are here, and we're here to stay." - Madeleine Roberts | HRC Assistant Press Secretary | Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs

"For me, being non-binary is about celebrating my authentic self and honoring my South Asian roots. When I was younger, I was shamed for expressing my gender authentically, having "boyish" interests, and not behaving in a way that my family, teachers and classmates expected me to based on my sex assigned at birth, which led me to repress this side of myself for a long time. As I grew older, learned more and felt safer, I felt more comfortable in reclaiming and expressing my gender identity. I felt empowered when I studied South Asian history and learned about the various gender identities and expressions which existed in our society long before British colonizers criminalized them, realizing that there have always been people who looked like me and shared gender identities similar to mine. I hope that people who are not non-binary can understand that there is no one way to look or present as non-binary, and that we are not a new fad - in fact, we've existed longer than the gender binary has!" - Pallavi Rudraraju | HRC Youth Well-Being Program Coordinator | Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs

"As a trans woman, I continue to learn from my non-binary siblings every day, siblings who often face unique obstacles in their daily lives because they are non-binary. For example, HRC Foundation research shows that non-binary youth are about half as likely to be out to various people in their lives compared to trans boys and girls, often because their identities are invalidated for being neither exclusively 'boy' or 'girl.' That being said, non-binary folks teach me and remind me every day that the gender binary imposes strict rules for how all of us should behave, look, think, or dress - trans, non-binary or otherwise - yet gender, gender identity and gender expression do not have to be confined to those strict rules. The liberation of trans and non-binary people, and all people really, from the gender binary is closely linked to deconstructing it, and non-binary people should be centered in leading that effort." - Charleigh Flohr, M.P.P. | HRC Foundation Research Manager | Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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Celebrating International Non-Binary Day 2020

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July 14 is recognized around the world as International Non-Binary People's Day. This occasion shines a light on those who identify as non-binary and celebrates the rich diversity of the community. The term " non-binary " describes someone who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman.

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World Population Day

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Human Population Through Time #datavisualization

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French-American Heritage Month

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History of French-American Heritage Month

Ever wonder what Chloë Sevigny, Patricia Arquette, Timothée Chalamet, Julie Delpy, and Angelina Jolie have in common? They're all French-American in some way. Some are born of French-American parents, some have French-Canadian ancestry and were raised in the United States, and some are first-generation French-Americans. But it goes deeper than just those family connections when we celebrate French-American Heritage Month.

In the United States, July is designated as National French-American Heritage Month and was established to honor the significant contributions made to the country by people of French descent. Currently, approximately 11.8 million Americans of French or French Canadian descent live and work in the United States, with about 2 million of those speaking French at home. As of the 2011 census, an additional 750,000 French-American citizens were added to those numbers due to the large creole community, whose language is based on French.

A significant goal of groups like the Alliance Française, who spearheaded events like French-American Heritage Month, is to dedicate the entire month of July to celebrating and honoring the immense influence that the French have had on the United States in terms of laws, art, culture, language, and social etiquette. There are many ways in which the public can participate in the celebrations that start at the homes of French-American families, the offices of French organizations based in the U.S., and on social media platforms dedicated to French-American culture and communities.

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Wondering how you can celebrate French-American Heritage Month? We've got the essential guidelines and history to prepare you for perfection.

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Disability Pride Month

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Social Wellness Month

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History of Social Wellness Month

Social Wellness Month was founded by Words of Wellness, a counseling group that understood the importance of socializing and building new bonds. But this group isn't alone in realizing the impact of social wellness on a person's health. In 1905, a study revealed the physical and psychological health benefits of social support. This discovery was made by Dr. Joseph Pratt who had gathered a group of tuberculosis patients to educate them regarding the disease. During these support group meetings, he saw how great an impact psychological support made on the health of those suffering from tuberculosis.

However, even before science stepped into the picture, during 3000-1500 B.C., the ancient Hindu Ayurvedic text emphasized the fulfillment of an individual's needs that range from nutrition, hygiene, and exercise to social interaction. According to the text, a balance had to be maintained amongst all these factors to achieve harmony between body, mind, and spirit. These teachings were further complimented by American health expert Dunn H. Travis (1896-1975) who strongly believed that health was affected by environmental friendliness. This message was further reiterated by other scientists who revealed how social interactions with friends, family, and neighbors can influence our well-being. After many such studies, an emphasis was placed on searching for ways where one could be involved with a community and have several social interactions.

Are you motivated yet to network and meet new people? Well, you have the entire month to plan out different activities and events that will help you mingle. All you have to do is focus on the long-term benefits of social wellness.

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Social wellness is all about building a positive connection with friends, family, and others around us.