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Independence Day, in the U.S., an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S.
At the time of the signing the United States consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was a growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly refered to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.
In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts, the battle of Concord would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
June 1776 a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration
of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. A vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies,
9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware was undecided and New York abstained. To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of
Independence.
On July 8th the Declaration had it's first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung.
The "Province Bell" which would later be renamed "Liberty Bell"
after it's inscription - "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto
All the Inhabitants Thereof."
The holiday was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at which time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played.People celebrated with fireworks and with candles which they lit and
placed in their windows.
The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were
established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. It was declared a legal holiday in 1941.
The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades and pageants, patriotic speeches, and organized firing of guns and cannons and displays of fireworks. Early in the 20th century public concern for a safe holiday resulted in restrictions on general use of fireworks. Although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually
have large firework displays for all to see and enjoy. Family picnics and outings are a feature of private Fourth of July celebrations.Today, the most popular way to celebrate Independence day is to get together with family and friends, have a cook out and attend a fireworks display!
In 1775, people living in the British colonies in America protested at the way they were ruled by the government in London, England. One year later, on July 4, 1776, they declared their independence, promising to fight the British rather than accept their laws any more. The struggle for independence from Britain was not achieved until 1782, but July 4, 1776 is the day recognized as Independence Day, as the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress was signed on this date in Philadelphia, Pensylvania.
At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III.
There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly
referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English
Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to
help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First
Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.
In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord, Massachusetts, Paul Revere would sound the
alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night
streets. The battle of Concord and it's "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the
colonies war for Independence.
The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the
congress tried to work out it's differences with England, again without formally declaring war.
By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration
of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin,
Philip Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to
the congress on June 28. After various changes, a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies,
9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted against, and Delaware was undecided, while New York abstained.
To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of
Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read
that without spectacles!".
The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration
was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had it's first public reading in
Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing
church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty
Bell" after it's inscription - Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.
At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.
In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord, Massachusetts, Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets. The battle of Concord and it's "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out it's differences with England, again without formally declaring war.
By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes, a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted against, and Delaware was undecided, while New York abstained.
To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!".
The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had it's first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after it's inscription - Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.
The Statue of Liberty, which stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbour, was a gift from the French people in 1886.
It is often regarded as the symbol of the independence of the USA.
The first Independence Day celebration took place on July 4, 1777. By the early 1800s the
traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks wereestablished as the way to celebrate America's birthday.
That first celebration was the beginning of a journey that's brought Americans
through struggles and adversity to become the proud and strong nation that it is today. On the Fourth
of July we remember who we are, where we've come from and what we've accomplished as a
people.
The Statue of Liberty, which stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbour, was a gift from the French people in 1886. It is often regarded as the symbol of the independence of the USA.
The first Independence Day celebration took place on July 4, 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks wereestablished as the way to celebrate America's birthday.
That first celebration was the beginning of a journey that's brought Americans through struggles and adversity to become the proud and strong nation that it is today. On the Fourth of July we remember who we are, where we've come from and what we've accomplished as a people.
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the
Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished
symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument. Here, in exalted and unforgettable phrases,
Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people.
The political philosophy of the Declaration was not new; its ideals of individual
liberty had already been expressed by John Locke and the Continental philosophers. What Jefferson did
was to summarize this philosopy in "self-evident truths" and set forth a list of grievances against the King
in order to justify before the world the breaking of ties between the colonies and the mother country.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit
of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes
destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new
Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as
to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness".
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument. Here, in exalted and unforgettable phrases, Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people.
The political philosophy of the Declaration was not new; its ideals of individual liberty had already been expressed by John Locke and the Continental philosophers. What Jefferson did was to summarize this philosopy in "self-evident truths" and set forth a list of grievances against the King in order to justify before the world the breaking of ties between the colonies and the mother country.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness".
The Star-spangled banner, the National Anthem of the United States of America is a poem inspired
by the Battle of Baltimore, fought on September 12-14, 1814 during the War of 1812.
During the British campaign against Washington, D.C., an elderly and respected physician, Dr. William Beanes
was arrested for unfriendly acts toward the British soldiers which resulted in his arrest. Francis Scott
Key, a prominent lawyer and friend of Dr. Beanes was sent by President James Madison to obtain his
release. Following negotiations, the British agreed to release Beanes. However, since the British were
going to attack Baltimore, Maryland next, they would allow no one to go ashore.
The British landed soldiers on September 12 and engaged in a brisk land battle, however, they were not able to capture
Baltimore. As part of a two pronged attack, the British now sent their naval fleet to attack and destroy
the port city. The main defense of Baltimore harbor was Fort McHenry. For 25 hours the British fleet
fired rockets and bombs at the fort. The fort's defenders bravely withstood the bombardment and did
not surrender. The British realized they could not take Baltimore without paying for it with heavy
casualties. Since they were not willing to pay this price, they departed from Baltimore.
During the bombardment, Key was down river and while watching was inspired to write a poem that tells the
story of the battle. When he reached Baltimore he finished the poem. Key wrote the poem to match
the meter to be sung to an old English tune, "To Anacreon in Heaven". The song slowly grew in
popularity and was well known and used by both sides during the Civil war.
In later years it was very popular with the military and it was used as an "unofficial" national anthem. During World War I, the
song became so widely accepted that a drive resulted in the Congress making it the National Anthem
in 1931.
The Star-spangled banner, the National Anthem of the United States of America is a poem inspired by the Battle of Baltimore, fought on September 12-14, 1814 during the War of 1812.
During the British campaign against Washington, D.C., an elderly and respected physician, Dr. William Beanes was arrested for unfriendly acts toward the British soldiers which resulted in his arrest. Francis Scott Key, a prominent lawyer and friend of Dr. Beanes was sent by President James Madison to obtain his release. Following negotiations, the British agreed to release Beanes. However, since the British were going to attack Baltimore, Maryland next, they would allow no one to go ashore.
The British landed soldiers on September 12 and engaged in a brisk land battle, however, they were not able to capture Baltimore. As part of a two pronged attack, the British now sent their naval fleet to attack and destroy the port city. The main defense of Baltimore harbor was Fort McHenry. For 25 hours the British fleet fired rockets and bombs at the fort. The fort's defenders bravely withstood the bombardment and did not surrender. The British realized they could not take Baltimore without paying for it with heavy casualties. Since they were not willing to pay this price, they departed from Baltimore.
During the bombardment, Key was down river and while watching was inspired to write a poem that tells the story of the battle. When he reached Baltimore he finished the poem. Key wrote the poem to match the meter to be sung to an old English tune, "To Anacreon in Heaven". The song slowly grew in popularity and was well known and used by both sides during the Civil war.
In later years it was very popular with the military and it was used as an "unofficial" national anthem. During World War I, the song became so widely accepted that a drive resulted in the Congress making it the National Anthem in 1931.
"Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
"On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
"And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
"Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
"Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
"On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines on the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
"And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
"Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
American Independence Day celebrations on July 4th are now one of the USA's biggest festivals. There are huge
parades with marching bands and decorated floats.
It is a public holiday celebrated with barbecues, parties, and picnics. Flags and banners hang in the streets, and public firework
displays are seen across America. As the explosions of the fireworks set the sky ablaze with colour and noise, people celebrate late
into the night.
American Independence Day celebrations on July 4th are now one of the USA's biggest festivals. There are huge parades with marching bands and decorated floats.
It is a public holiday celebrated with barbecues, parties, and picnics. Flags and banners hang in the streets, and public firework displays are seen across America. As the explosions of the fireworks set the sky ablaze with colour and noise, people celebrate late into the night.
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