The United States celebrates its Independence Day on July 4 .
美國在7月4日慶祝獨立紀念日。
But the day he was talking about was July 2 , 1776 , not July 4 .
但他說的那一天是1776年7月2日，而不是7月4日。
July 2 is the day the Continental Congress of the original 13 colonies voted for independence from Britain .
7月2日是最初13個殖民地的大陸會議投票決定脫離英國獨立的日子。
Congress did not officially sign the Declaration of Independence , mainly written by Thomas Jefferson , until two days later .
國會直到兩天後才正式簽署主要由湯瑪斯·傑佛遜起草的《獨立宣言》。
It was too late to celebrate on July 2 .
7月2日慶祝已經太晚了。
So , they decided to mark the country's independence with a celebration the following day : July 4 .
於是，他們決定在隔天，也就是7月4日，舉行慶祝活動來紀念國家獨立。
At night , the Post said , “There was a grand exhibition of fireworks…and the city was beautifully illuminated .”
據《郵報》報導，到了晚上，「舉行了盛大的煙火表演……整座城市燈火輝煌。」
The tradition of celebrating Independence Day started to expand after the War of 1812 against Britain .
慶祝獨立紀念日的傳統在1812年對英戰爭之後開始擴展開來。
Such celebrations were mostly held on July 4 .
這類慶祝活動大多在7月4日舉行。
John Adams , however , still believed that Americans should celebrate their independence on July 2 .
然而，約翰·亞當斯仍然認為美國人應該在7月2日慶祝獨立。
Historians say Adams reportedly turned down invitations to take part in July 4 events until the day he died .
歷史學家說，據報導亞當斯直到去世那天都拒絕參加7月4日的活動邀請。
That same day , Thomas Jefferson also died .
就在同一天，湯瑪斯·傑佛遜也去世了。
The two men and former presidents were friends as well as rivals .
這兩位前總統既是朋友，也是對手。
They both died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence .
兩人都在《獨立宣言》簽署50週年那天去世。
In 1870 , the U.S . Congress made July 4th an official holiday .
1870年，美國國會將7月4日定為正式國定假日。
In July 1776 , the U.S . was a country of 2.5 million people .
1776年7月，美國是一個擁有250萬人口的國家。
It is now a country of 332 million , the U.S . Census reports .
據美國人口普查局報告，如今美國人口為3.32億。
These days , Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and other festivities .
如今，美國人用煙火和其他慶祝活動來慶祝獨立紀念日。
The yearly Fourth of July fireworks show in New York City is the biggest in the nation .
紐約市每年的7月4日煙火秀是全美規模最大的。
It can be seen in the neighboring states of New Jersey and Connecticut .
在鄰近的紐澤西州和康乃狄克州都能看到。
It is also broadcast nationwide on television .
它還會在全國電視上播出。
In Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , organizers are holding a 16-day festival of fireworks , music , and food to celebrate the holiday .
在賓州費城，主辦單位正舉辦為期16天的煙火、音樂和美食節來慶祝這個節日。
The small village of Lewes , Delaware , celebrates its coastal history with the Independence Day Boat Parade .
德拉瓦州的小村莊劉易斯以獨立紀念日船隻遊行來慶祝其海濱歷史。
This year , officials in Atlanta , Georgia , are closing roads in the southern city for the traditional AJC Peachtree Road Race .
今年，喬治亞州亞特蘭大的官員為傳統的AJC桃樹路跑比賽封閉了這座南方城市的道路。
A total of 60,000 runners are permitted to take part in the popular Independence Day event .
共有6萬名跑者獲准參加這項廣受歡迎的獨立紀念日活動。
And far north in Anchorage , Alaska , Independence Day traditions include a pancake breakfast , baseball games and late-night fireworks .
而在遙遠北方的阿拉斯加州安克拉治，獨立紀念日傳統包括鬆餅早餐、棒球比賽和深夜煙火。
With 19 hours of daylight this time of year , Anchorage's fireworks show does not start until 11 at night .
每年這個時候白晝長達19個小時，因此安克拉治的煙火秀要到晚上11點才開始。