Since 1800, the Library of Congress has served as America’s national library, preserving our literary and cultural heritage. It also provides objective research, analysis and policy consults to Congress through the non-partisan Congressional Research Service and manages and documents copyrights through the US Copyright Office. They offer copyright free images anyone can use via their website, so we’re sharing some of the archival images of America celebrating Independence Day in honor of America 250.
Thomas Jefferson’s original draft of the Declaration of Independence, 1776.
Uncle Sam’s Birthday Poster, 1918.
Deaf children of St. Rita’s School, Cincinnati, OH, singing the Star Spangled Banner in sign language, 1918.
Float in the Fourth of July parade at Vale, Oregon, 1941. Photo by Russell Lee.
Fourth of July picnic in Bridgeton, New Jersey, 1942. Photo by John Collier, Jr.
Dynamite Fireworks sign, Route 17, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 1988. Photo by John Margolies.
July 4th fireworks, over Washington, D.C., 2008. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith.
