FEATURED ARTIFACTS: FOURTH OF JULY IN WWII
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, a statement which announced the 13 colonies’ separation from the British Empire. This independence would not be recognized officially until September 3, 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
From the very first “Independence Day,” it was considered a day for celebratory activities. John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
During wartime, July Fourth observances spread beyond the borders of the United States to wherever Americans were serving, taking on a deeper significance than ever before.
In 1944, shortly after the liberation of Rome, American troops celebrated Independence Day with a special ceremony, as featured below. To see more images from this momentous event, visit our Digital Collections.
Do you have images and artifacts representing the Fourth of July during WWII? Find out how you can share them with future generations.
Learn more about donating artifacts to the Museum.
Featured Artifacts:
July 4, 1945 — Menu, USS Boston. From the service of Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class, Arthur Keesing.
July 4, 1945 — Menu, USS Boston. From the service of Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Arthur Keesing.
Fourth of July card from the 1940s.
July 4, 1944 — The flag that flew over the White House on December 7, 1941, is raised at the Piazza Venezia, Rome, Italy, by color guards of 2nd BN., 338th Inf. Regt., 85th Div.
July 4, 1944 — Troops of 2nd Bn. 338th Inf. Regt form in the Piazza Venezia, Rome, Italy, for the Independence Day retreat ceremony to lower the flag which flew over the White House on December 7, 1941.
July 4, 1944 — The flag which flew above the White House on December 7, 1941, is lowered and folded in the Independence Day retreat ceremony in Piazza Venezia, Rome, Italy.
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