On July 4, 1965, 40 gay and lesbian activists protested outside of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, in what is widely considered to be the first LGBT civil rights demonstration. To honor the 50th anniversary of that historic protest, Philadelphia is celebrating LGBT rights this Fourth of July. To add to the already-monumental occasion, this will also be the first July 4 on which every same-sex couple in America will be free to marry. It’s only natural — if not necessary — to celebrate both the anniversary of American Independence and LGBT rights this Fourth of July, not just in Philadelphia, but in every city across America.