Americans commonly show their patriotism by recolouring their world - from town hall to personal wardrobe - in red, white and blue on Independence Day. The holiday marks the 4 July 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence, though American freedom was only won in 1783.

Students release festive balloons near Phnom Penh's Independent Monument, which was built to mark Cambodia's 1953 liberation from French rule. The monument is a central gathering point every 9 November during Independence Day festivities, which look past the country's troubled past towards its more hopeful future.

In one of the most peaceful Latin American revolutions, Brazil won its freedom after Portuguese prince Dom Pedro I declared it independent of his father's rule on 7 September 1822. Today, independence celebrations are as much an opportunity for dissent as for revelry. Pictured here, two young women participate in a holiday protest against corruption in the capital Brasilia.

After more than 200 years of British colonial rule, India won independence at midnight on 15 August 1947. To symbolise its freedom, saffron, white and emerald-green kites evoking the young country's tri-coloured flag are flown.

Venezuelan statesman Simon Bolivar proclaimed Bolivia's freedom from Spain in 1809, but it took 16 years before his namesake republic was established. Starting on 6 August each year, Bolivia throws a two-day jubilee packed with marches, parades and carnivals. Pictured here, cholitas - indigenous women famous for their wide skirts and bowler hats - dance in the streets of the capital, La Paz.

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People across the globe shared in South Sudan's joy when - after decades of war, genocide and famine - it officially broke from the Republic of Sudan on 9 July 2011. Unfortunately, the newfound freedom of the world's youngest country has not yet brought peace, as the African nation continues to face political corruption, economic trials and conflict with its northern neighbour.