The United States celebrates its Independence Day on July 4 .
美国在7月4日庆祝独立日。
But the day he was talking about was July 2 , 1776 , not July 4 .
但他说的那一天是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个殖民地的大陆会议投票决定脱离英国独立的日子。
Congress did not officially sign the Declaration of Independence , mainly written by Thomas Jefferson , until two days later .
国会直到两天后才正式签署主要由托马斯·杰斐逊起草的《独立宣言》。
It was too late to celebrate on July 2 .
7月2日庆祝已经太晚了。
So , they decided to mark the country's independence with a celebration the following day : July 4 .
于是，他们决定在第二天，也就是7月4日，举行庆祝活动来纪念国家独立。
At night , the Post said , “There was a grand exhibition of fireworks…and the city was beautifully illuminated .”
据《邮报》报道，到了晚上，“举行了盛大的烟火表演……整座城市灯火辉煌。”
The tradition of celebrating Independence Day started to expand after the War of 1812 against Britain .
庆祝独立日的传统在1812年对英战争之后开始扩展开来。
Such celebrations were mostly held on July 4 .
这类庆祝活动大多在7月4日举行。
John Adams , however , still believed that Americans should celebrate their independence on July 2 .
然而，约翰·亚当斯仍然认为美国人应该在7月2日庆祝独立。
Historians say Adams reportedly turned down invitations to take part in July 4 events until the day he died .
历史学家说，据报道亚当斯直到去世那天都拒绝参加7月4日的活动邀请。
That same day , Thomas Jefferson also died .
就在同一天，托马斯·杰斐逊也去世了。
The two men and former presidents were friends as well as rivals .
这两位前总统既是朋友，也是对手。
They both died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence .
两人都在《独立宣言》签署50周年那天去世。
In 1870 , the U.S . Congress made July 4th an official holiday .
1870年，美国国会将7月4日定为正式节日。
In July 1776 , the U.S . was a country of 2.5 million people .
1776年7月，美国是一个拥有250万人口的国家。
It is now a country of 332 million , the U.S . Census reports .
据美国人口普查局报告，如今美国人口为3.32亿。
These days , Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and other festivities .
如今，美国人用烟火和其他庆祝活动来庆祝独立日。
The yearly Fourth of July fireworks show in New York City is the biggest in the nation .
纽约市每年的7月4日烟火表演是全美规模最大的。
It can be seen in the neighboring states of New Jersey and Connecticut .
在邻近的新泽西州和康涅狄格州都能看到。
It is also broadcast nationwide on television .
它还会在全国电视上播出。
In Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , organizers are holding a 16-day festival of fireworks , music , and food to celebrate the holiday .
在宾夕法尼亚州费城，主办方正举办为期16天的烟火、音乐和美食节来庆祝这个节日。
The small village of Lewes , Delaware , celebrates its coastal history with the Independence Day Boat Parade .
特拉华州的小村庄刘易斯以独立日船只游行来庆祝其海滨历史。
This year , officials in Atlanta , Georgia , are closing roads in the southern city for the traditional AJC Peachtree Road Race .
今年，佐治亚州亚特兰大的官员为传统的AJC桃树路跑比赛封闭了这座南方城市的道路。
A total of 60,000 runners are permitted to take part in the popular Independence Day event .
共有6万名跑者获准参加这项广受欢迎的独立日活动。
And far north in Anchorage , Alaska , Independence Day traditions include a pancake breakfast , baseball games and late-night fireworks .
而在遥远北方的阿拉斯加州安克雷奇，独立日传统包括煎饼早餐、棒球比赛和深夜烟火。
With 19 hours of daylight this time of year , Anchorage's fireworks show does not start until 11 at night .
每年这个时候白昼长达19个小时，因此安克雷奇的烟火表演要到晚上11点才开始。