July 4, also known as Independence Day, marks the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the 13 North American colonies officially separated from Great Britain. As the Fourth of July draws nearer, here's a brief rundown of what happened that day in 1776, approximately 249 years ago.

Known now as a day of patriotism and enjoying time off from work, the Fourth of July began the journey to becoming a quintessential American holiday in 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

July 4 marks the day the U.S. adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, breaking away from British rule and laying the foundation for a nation built on freedom, equality, and democracy.

Trump is expected to sign the bill on Friday around 5 p.m. ET at a White House celebration for the July 4 Independence Day holiday. The ceremony is expected to include a flyover by stealth bombers and fighter jets that took part in the recent U.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign a comprehensive budget bill Friday, following a lengthy debate in the House of Representatives.

The bill will fund Trump's immigration crackdown, make his 2017 tax cuts permanent, and could knock millions of Americans off health insurance.