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 .
直到两天后，国会才正式签署了主要由托马斯·杰斐逊起草的《独立宣言》。
They remembered on July 3 .
他们在7月3日才想起来。
It was too late to celebrate on July 2 .
要在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，夜里“举行了盛大的烟火表演……整座城市灯火辉煌，美丽动人”。
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。
Adams died on July 4 , 1826 .
亚当斯于1826年7月4日去世。
That same day , Thomas Jefferson also died .
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周年纪念日那天去世。
It is now a country of 336 million , the U.S . Census reports .
据美国人口普查局的数据，如今这个国家有3.36亿人口。
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。
In Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , organizers are holding a 16-day festival of fireworks , music , and food to celebrate “America's birthday in America's birthplace !”
在宾夕法尼亚州费城，主办方正在举办为期16天的烟火、音乐和美食节，庆祝“在美国的诞生地过美国的生日！”
But the biggest Fourth of July fireworks show is in New York City .
但规模最大的7月4日烟火表演在纽约市。
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也能看到。
It is also broadcast nationwide on television .
它还会在全国电视上播出。
The small village of Lewes , Delaware celebrates the holiday and 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这个节日和当地的海岸历史。
And far north in Anchorage , Alaska , Independence Day traditions include food , games and late-night fireworks .
而在遥远北方的阿拉斯加州安克雷奇，独立日的传统包括美食、游戏和深夜烟火。
With 19 hours of daylight this time of year , the fireworks show does not start until midnight .
每年这个时候白昼长达19小时，所以烟火表演要到午夜才开始。