THUNDER BAY – Today is the signature American holiday, celebrating the date in 1776 when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.
This was the first successful colonial independence movement against a European colonizing power.
Full recognition of the United States as an independent nation came with the Peace Treaty of 1783 following war with Great Britain.
Today, across the United States and around the world at embassies there will be parades, concerts, barbecues, and, of course, fireworks.
Among the celebrations is the Boston Pops fireworks spectacular, featuring Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”
In the U.S. of 1812, the population of 7.2 million had a median age of around 16 years old. Now, today’s population is over 323 million. The median age is the highest in history at 37.7 years.
Source: United States Census Bureau
