President Donald Trump is expected to sign his signature bill of tax and spending cuts at the White House Fourth of July picnic

President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign a massive package of tax and spending cuts into law at a ceremony at the White House on Friday, one day after the Republican-controlled House of Representatives narrowly approved the legislation.

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.