Not sure exactly what it is you're celebrating on the Fourth of July? We've put together a summary that might help you enjoy all those fireworks and flag-waving just a little bit more.

The Declaration of Independence is at the center of Independence Day. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson over the course of two weeks at the end of June, 1776, the Declaration of Independence served as a both a rallying point and a mission statement for the newly-formed Continental Congress that was meeting in Philadelphia.

The Declaration of Independence, famous for lines such as "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal," was actually presented to the Continental Congress on July 2nd. It took two days for it to be formally approved, and copies were soon sent throughout the colonies for public readings. The first of these readings took place in Philadelphia, in modern-day Independence Square. It wasn't until 1788, twelve years later, that the Constitutional Congress, again meeting in Philadelphia, formally received word that the states had voted to ratify the Constitution of the United States.