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.

On Friday night in downtown Knoxville, people spent their Independence Day at the World’s Fair Park as the city celebrated its annual Festival on the 4th.