Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th in the United States. On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies separation from Great Britain. Although the actual vote for independence happened two days earlier, July 4th is seen as the "birthday" of American independence. The Declaration of Independence was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4th as is commonly believed). Independence Day is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays, and it is a federal holiday, so all non-essential federal institutions are closed on that day). If July 4th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then federal government employees will instead take the day off on the adjacent Friday or Monday, respectively).