What event does the Fourth of July commemorate?

The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This pivotal document marked the thirteen American colonies' formal separation from British rule, articulating their right to self-governance and outlining the principles of individual liberty and government by consent. The adoption of the Declaration is celebrated each year on July 4th as Independence Day, a day of national pride symbolizing the foundational values of America’s democracy and the beginning of a new nation.

The other events listed, such as the signing of the Constitution, occurred later in 1787 and established the framework for the U.S. government. The discovery of America generally refers to the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, which does not have a specific date of commemoration like the Declaration. The end of the Civil War in 1865 was significant in American history but is unrelated to the founding of the nation celebrated on the Fourth of July. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the specific moment when the colonies declared their independence, which is central to American identity and patriotism.