1781 - The first official state celebration as recognized under resolve of a legislature occured in Massachusetts; at Newport, R.I., the militia hosts French officers at a celebration dinner

1801 - The first public Fourth of July reception at the White House occured

1804 - The first Fourth of July celebration west of the Mississippi occured at Independence Creek and was celebrated by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark

1805 - Boston has its first fireworks display; in Charleston, S.C., the American Revolution Society and the Society of the Cincinnati meet at St. Philips Church

1866 - General George G. Meade watches 10,000 war veterans parade in Philadelphia; the Nashville Banner, in an editorial, urges its citizens not to celebrate the Fourth

1876 - Centennial celebrations (many are three-day celebrations, 3-5 July) occur throughout the United States and abroad

1884 - The formal presentation of the Statue of Liberty takes place in the Gauthier workshop in Paris

1887 - First Fourth of July celebration in Yellowstone National Park takes place

1912 - The new national flag with 48 stars is "formally and officially endowed"

1926 - The 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence takes place throughout the nation

1960 - The 50th-star American flag waves for the first time as Hawaii is given statehood

1976 - The nation's Bicentennial occurs.