The U.S. celebrates July 4, but independence from Britain is marked around the globe. Here’s a look at how and when different countries celebrate.

On July 4th, the United States celebrates its independence from Great Britain with fireworks displaysbarbecues, shopping, and for some 70 million citizens this year, travel.

The United States' celebration is held on the anniversary of the adoption by the Second Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. But America is not the only country celebrating independence from Great Britain. Much of the world's population, around a fifth of the world, according to Guinness World Records, were subjects of Great Britain before 1914.

Some countries do not celebrate their independence from the UK, but dedicate a day to celebrate its formation. Others celebrate it similarly to the United States, the day the country formally declared or gained independence from the United Kingdom.

Here's when and how various former British colonies celebrate their freedoms.

Flying kites on India's Independence Day

India celebrates its independence on August 15, marking the end of 200 years of British rule in 1947—when the Indian Independence Act split British India into India and Pakistan—and its rise to become the world's largest democracy.

The Prime Minister begins the day by hoisting the country's flag at the Red Fort in Old Delhi, marking the anniversary of the first time the modern flag was officially hoisted in the country.

After the flag raising, there is a parade, but most families celebrate the day by flying kites. Indians used to fly kites as a form of protest. In 1927, slogans were written on kites ridiculing the Simon Commission, a group appointed by the British Conservative government to report on the workings of the fledgling Indian constitution. Since then, kites have been seen as an integral part of protest and subsequent freedom.

Since Independence Day is one of the three main national holidays, many people have the day off and gather in the streets, beaches and other places to fly multi-colored kites.

The Bahamas celebrates independence with Junkanoo

Independence Day in the Bahamas is celebrated annually on July 10. After 300 years of British rule, the Bahamas became a fully independent nation in 1973.

Bahamians begin their celebrations 8 to 10 days before July 10, marking the momentous occasion with numerous activities and cultural events. Its most famous celebration is Junkanoo, a vibrant Bahamian street parade with music, dancing and elaborate costumes.

While the exact origins of Junkanoo are unknown, a popular belief is that the traditions evolved from the days of slavery and now represent Bahamian culture, according to Bahamas.com. There is also a Junkanoo Parade on Christmas Day, which takes place the day after Christmas.

Australia's independence marks the arrival of convicts

Australians celebrate Australia Day annually on January 26. The day is not linked to Britain's independence, but marks the day the first convict ships arrived from the UK.

It is the only Commonwealth public holiday that celebrates the date of physical settlement, rather than the date of the country's independence or another significant day.

Many Australians celebrate the summer holidays with barbecues. Australians also honor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who inhabited the land for 65,000 years, according to the Australia Day Council.

It's also a day when many new citizens are minted: the country added more than 22,000 new Australians in 2024, according to Australia's Department of Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.