A new and utterly surprising look at the history behind the birth of the United States

The United States is a nation that touts its diversity, but there is one tradition that Americans love to share. Every year on the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate (and, in effect, re-enact) the founding of their country. Independence Day is one of our favorite traditions-but much of the inherited lore that surrounds this holiday is mythological, not historical. In this book, Peter de Bolla teases out the true story of the Fourth of July. De Bolla traces the holiday's history from 1776 through the Civil War, the Cold War, and the present. This enlightening exploration of America's birthday offers a fascinating window into the history of the nation and its people.