<human>:  What is the history behind the Fourth of July holiday?
<bot>: The Fourth of July is the United States' independence day and marks the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The official holiday began in 1870 when it was declared a Federal holiday and has been celebrated ever since as the National Day of Independence. It is a day of fireworks and barbecues, and is traditionally seen as a time to commemorate the struggle of the American colonists for autonomy from the British monarchy.