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, a series of demonstrations erupted across the United States in protest of President Donald Trump and his administration's policies. The protests on the country's 249th anniversary came less

Highlights: The United States celebrated its Independence Day as President Trump kicked off the festivities with the America250 campaign, a day before signing a major tax bill into law on Friday.