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.

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.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the document boldly declared the colonies to be “free and independent States,