The aquarium’s animal care team prepared special enrichment treats to help their residents celebrate Independence Day — each carefully tailored to the animals’ diets.

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.

Chattanooga held its Independence Day celebration, which kicked off in the morning with a parade through the community.