Free to Use and Reuse: Independence Day
American Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, became a federal holiday in 1870. This selection of rights-free pictures can be used to reflect on how the holiday has traditionally been celebrated and also to discuss the complex history and symbols surrounding American Independence.
Browse more content that is free to use and reuse.
-
July 4th fireworks, Washington, D.C. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2008. Prints & Photographs Division -
A Fourth of July celebration, St. Helena Island, S.C. Photo by Marion Post Wolcott, 1939. Prints & Photographs Division -
Thomas Jefferson. Original draft of the Declaration of Independence, 1776. Manuscript Division -
Float in the Fourth of July parade at Vale, Oregon. Photo by Russell Lee, 1941. Prints & Photographs Division -
Uncle Sam's birthday, July 4th, 1776-1918: 142 years young and going strong! Poster, 1918. Prints & Photographs Division -
The Fourth of July: The Day Before. Photo Universal View Co, 1906. Prints & Photographs Division -
General view of statue looking Northwest. Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, New York. Photo by Jack Boucher, 1984. Prints & Photographs Division -
Section Looking South - Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, New York. Drawing by Craig Strong, 1995. Prints & Photographs Division -
Declaration of Independence. Poster by B. Martin Pedersen and S.D. Scott Printing Co., 1970-1980. Prints & Photographs Division -
Children performing the Star Spangled Banner in sign language. (Photo was published in 1918 as "Deaf & dumb children of St. Rita's School, Cincinnati, singing Star Spangled Banner). Photo by J.R. Schmidt, 1918. Prints & Photographs Division -
Dynamite Fireworks sign, Route 17, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photo by John Margolies, 1988. Prints & Photographs Division -
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's, renowned Independence Day (July 4) fireworks display. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2019. Prints & Photographs Division -
China in N.Y., 4th of July Parade. Photo by Bain News Service, 1910-1915. Prints & Photographs Division -
Little girls getting tickets for the merry-go-round at the carnival on the Fourth of July. Vale, Oregon. Photo by Russell Lee, 1941. Prints & Photographs Division -
Fourth of July Celebration at Stanley Heirs Park on Kayford Mountain, West Virginia. Photo by Terry Eiler, 1996. American Folklife Center -
The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 1770, by a party of the 29th Regt. Engraving by Paul Revere, 1770. Prints & Photographs Division -
"Crispus Attucks," by Herschel Levit, mural at the Recorder of Deeds building, Washington, D.C. Photoh by Carol M. Highsmith, 2010. Prints & Photographs Division -
Phillis Wheatley, portrait frontispiece and title page for Poems on Various Subjects. Engraving attributed to Scipio Moorhead, 1773. Rare Book Division -
Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776. Engraving by Waterman L. Ormsby, 1876, after painting by John Trumbull, 1818. Prints & Photographs Division -
Thomas Jefferson, a philosopher, a patriote, and a friend. Aquatint by Mł. Sokolnicki, 1800-1816, after a painting by Tadeusz Kościuszko, ca. 1799. Prints & Photographs Division -
[Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown]. Wash drawing in an extra-illustrated copy of the book Recueil d'estampes ... de la Guerre qui a procuré l'indépendance aux Etats Unis de l'Amérique. Paris, Ponce et Godefroy [1784?]. Rare Book & Special Collections Division -
His Excel: G: Washington Esq: L.L.D. Late commander in chief of the armies of the U.S. of America & president of the Convention of 1787. Mezzotint by Charles Willson Peale,1787. Prints & Photographs Division -
The American Declaration of Independence illustrated. Dominique C. Fabronius, artist. Lithograph by L. Prang & Co.,1861. Prints & Photographs Division -
Official facsimile of the Declaration of Independence. Boston, 1903. Prints & Photographs Division -
A view of the bombardment of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, by the British fleet, ... Engraving by John Bower, approximately 1819; re-engraved approx. 1905. Prints & Photographs Division -
The Star Spangled Banner. Lithograph by Currier & Ives, 1860-1870. Prints & Photographs Division -
The Star-Spangled Banner. Words by Francis Scott Key. Song composed by John Stafford. Sheet music published by Oliver Ditson, 1918. Music Division -
The Fourth of July in a southern town. Engraving by W.L.S. from a sketch by Horace Bradley, for Harper's Weekly,1888 July 7. Prints & Photographs Division -
A Fourth of July banquet 2,000 feet above the clouds, Mount Hood, Oregon. Stereograph by the Keystone View Co., 1904. Prints & Photographs Division -
July the 4th, 1902. Cover of Puck by L. M. Glackens, 1902. Prints & Photographs Division -
[Fourth of July roadside stand near Milwaukee, Wisconsin]. Photo by John Vachon, 1941. Prints & Photographs Division -
The Human Liberty Bell: 25000 officers and men at Camp Dix, New Jersey. Photo by Mole & Thomas, 1918. Prints & Photographs Division -
Fourth of July, or American Independence Day, fireworks light up the sky over Denver, Colorado. Photo by Carol Highsmith, 2016. Prints & Photographs Division -
Fourth of July parade, Watertown, Wisconsin. Photo by John Vachon, 1941. Prints & Photographs Division -
Fourth of July Gift. Patriotic song and chorus by Horatio G. King, entitled George Washington. Poster advertisement for the Family Story Paper, [1873-1880?]. Prints & Photographs Division -
Fourth of July. Tableau on Ellipse: 'Liberty,' 'Columbia,' and dancers. Photo by Harris & Ewing, 1919. Prints & Photographs Division -
Fourth of July. Illustration in Godey's Lady's Book, 1864. Prints & Photographs Division -
Fireworks over Houston, Texas. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, between 1980 and 2006. Prints & Photographs Division -
Takoma Park, July 4th celebration. Photo by the National Photo Co, 1922. Prints & Photographs Division -
Bridgeton, New Jersey. Fourth of July picnic. Photo by John Collier, Jr., 1942. Prints & Photographs Division -
The flag that has waved one hundred years--A scene on the morning of the fourth day of July 1876. Dominique C. Fabronius, artist. Chromolithograph by National Chromo Co., 1876. Prints & Photographs Division -
Fireworks for sale, Fourth of July, Vale, Oregon. Photo by Russell Lee, 1941. Prints & Photographs Division -
Follow the flag. Cover for Puck by W.D. Goldbeck, 1914. Prints & Photographs Division -
American Independence. Lithograph by C.H. Brainard, 1859. Prints & Photographs Division -
[Fourth of July pageant at the American Colony, Jerusalem, showing women wearing red, white, and blue costumes carrying flags and a man and woman dressed as Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty]. Photo from the American Colony (Jerusalem), between 1905 and 1913. Prints & Photographs Division -
The old Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Phila., Pa. Stereograph by Keystone View Co., 1899. Prints & Photographs Division -
Harper's Round Table Fourth of July. Poster by Maxfield Parrish, 1895. Prints & Photographs Division -
July 4th. Photo copyrighted by F. A. Loumis, 1906. Prints & Photographs Division -
Tug-of-war, Fourth of July, on street in Skagway, Alaska. Photo by Frank G. Carpenter, 1900-1916. Prints & Photographs Division -
Fireworks outlet near Decatur, Alabama. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2010. Prints & Photographs Division
