Dozens of cities across the U.S. will host drone shows on the Fourth of July this year, seeing them as preferable to fireworks. Here's why.

While some cities will put on a fireworks display for 4th of July celebrations, more and more cities are opting for drone shows. In fact, two cities in the Phoenix area are looking to make a word record this Independence Day.

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.

The Earth has revolved around the Sun 249 times since the 13 Colonies declared their Independence from the British Crown

The 4th of July marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, marking the end of British rule in the newly formed United States of America. However, not all people living on the land renamed the United States of America that day were truly independent.