Vocabulary · US culture
Independence Day in English
B1
Independence Day in English: the Fourth of July, American symbols like the Stars and Stripes, fireworks and barbecues, and the history of 1776. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
The national day
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Day(n.)“Independence Day is July 4th.” | the US national day, 4 July | /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns deɪ/ |
| Fourth of July(n.) | another name for this US holiday | /fɔːθ əv dʒʊˈlaɪ/ |
| national holiday(n.) | a day off for the whole country | /ˈnæʃənəl ˈhɒlɪdeɪ/ |
| celebration(n.) | a special event for a happy reason | /ˌselɪˈbreɪʃən/ |
American symbols
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| American flag(n.) | red, white and blue, with stars | /əˈmerɪkən flæɡ/ |
| Stars and Stripes(n.) | the nickname of the US flag | /stɑːz ən straɪps/ |
| eagle(n.) | a big bird that hunts; a US symbol | /ˈiːɡəl/ |
| Statue of Liberty(n.) | the famous green figure in New York harbour | /ˈstætʃuː əv ˈlɪbəti/ |
| patriotism(n.) | love for your country | /ˈpætriətɪzəm/ |
Celebrations
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| fireworks(n.) | colourful explosions in the night sky | /ˈfaɪəwɜːks/ |
| parade(n.) | people marching in the street | /pəˈreɪd/ |
| BBQ(n.) | cooking meat outside over a fire | /ˌbiːbiːˈkjuː/ |
| picnic(n.) | a meal you eat outside | /ˈpɪknɪk/ |
| concert(n.) | a live music show | /ˈkɒnsət/ |
History
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| independence(n.) | being free from another country's control | /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/ |
| freedom(n.) | the right to live as you choose | /ˈfriːdəm/ |
| Declaration of Independence(n.) | the 1776 text announcing American freedom | /ˌdekləˈreɪʃən əv ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/ |
| Founding Fathers(n.) | the leaders who created the United States | /ˈfaʊndɪŋ ˈfɑːðəz/ |
| thirteen colonies(n.) | the first 13 British lands in America | /θɜːˈtiːn ˈkɒləniz/ |
A common mistake
Fourth of July = the name of the holiday
The Fourth of July is a name for the holiday, like Independence Day: I love the Fourth of July! Note the date order: Americans say July 4th or the Fourth of July, but British people write 4 July.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Independence Day
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Independence Day in the US?+
It is on 4 July. It remembers the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776. People also call it the Fourth of July.
How do Americans celebrate Independence Day?+
With fireworks, parades, family BBQs, concerts and picnics. People decorate their homes and streets in red, white and blue, the colours of the flag.
Who were the Founding Fathers?+
The Founding Fathers are the American leaders who created the United States, like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/independence-day
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.