Crowds gathered across Philadelphia on Friday to celebrate Independence Day, from the parade to the fireworks as part of Wawa Welcome America’s annual festivities. But this year, the event’s concert faced some last-minute changes.

July 4, also known as Independence Day, marks the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the 13 North American colonies officially separated from Great Britain. As the Fourth of July draws nearer, here's a brief rundown of what happened that day in 1776, approximately 249 years ago.