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.

People are approaching this Independence Day with mixed feelings. Polls show declining national pride, especially among Democrats, during the Trump era.

From the sandy beach towns of Southern California to the rocky coasts of Maine, Americans celebrated the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 with flags, fireworks, hot dogs and par