It’s 4th of July and for many, history lessons from school have been replaced with beach parties, picnics and fireworks. So here’s a refresher on what Independence Day is really about.

According to Britannica.com, July 4th celebrates the passage of the Declaration of Independence when in 1776, Congress voted to be free from Great Britain’s monarchy.

From the National Archives, here is how the Declaration of Independence reads. Why not announce this at your party?