Tradition Behind Independence Day United States Congressman and politicians collectively gathered in Philadelphia in 1774 to announce our freedom from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Now in 2016, people in the United States celebrate the country's independence, at the same time, protests in the London have been taking place following the Brexit vote to separate their country from the European Union. In connection, Britain and the U.S. both wanted their independence, but in Britain's case; some of the country may have come to realize being connected with the EU is better overall. Reuters recently reported on Brexit in Britain. In our Declaration of Independence