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 .
直到兩天後，國會才正式簽署了主要由湯瑪斯·傑佛遜起草的《獨立宣言》。
They remembered on July 3 .
他們在7月3日才想起來。
It was too late to celebrate on July 2 .
要在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，夜裡「舉行了盛大的煙火表演……整座城市燈火輝煌，美麗動人」。
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。
Adams died on July 4 , 1826 .
亞當斯於1826年7月4日去世。
That same day , Thomas Jefferson also died .
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週年紀念日那天去世。
It is now a country of 336 million , the U.S . Census reports .
據美國人口普查局的資料，如今這個國家有3.36億人口。
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。
In Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , organizers are holding a 16-day festival of fireworks , music , and food to celebrate “America's birthday in America's birthplace !”
在賓州費城，主辦單位正在舉辦為期16天的煙火、音樂和美食節，慶祝「在美國的誕生地過美國的生日！」
But the biggest Fourth of July fireworks show is in New York City .
但規模最大的7月4日煙火表演在紐約市。
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也能看到。
It is also broadcast nationwide on television .
它還會在全國電視上播出。
The small village of Lewes , Delaware celebrates the holiday and its coastal history with the Independence Day Boat Parade .
德拉瓦州的小村莊路易斯以獨立紀念日船隻遊行來慶祝這個節日和當地的海岸歷史。
And far north in Anchorage , Alaska , Independence Day traditions include food , games and late-night fireworks .
而在遙遠北方的阿拉斯加州安克拉治，獨立紀念日的傳統包括美食、遊戲和深夜煙火。
With 19 hours of daylight this time of year , the fireworks show does not start until midnight .
每年這個時候白晝長達19小時，所以煙火表演要到午夜才開始。