INDEPENDENCE DAY

DATE: 4th of July

ORIGINS
The events leading up to the first Fourth of July celebration began in 1607. In that year, a small group of settlers founded the first permanent English colony in America at Jamestown, Virginia. Eventually thirteen colonies dotted the Atlantic coastline. All the colonies were under the rule of the King of England. Until the 1760's, however, England didn't pay much attention to its American colonies. Then England made laws for the colonies and decided to tax the colonists. Many refused to buy taxed items, and some began to claim more power to govern themselves.

In September 1774, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. The colonists were against many British policies and drew up a Declaration of Rights, hoping that the British Parliament would change its policies toward the American colonies. The British would not change. By April 1775, fighting between Britain and its American colonies was close at hand.

In June 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence to proclaim the separation of the 13 colonies from Britain.

This document was written by Thomas Jefferson, who later became the young nation's third President, and signed by members of the Congress on the Fourth of July of that year. It announced the right to revolution and detailed the Americans' reasons for the break.

CELEBRATION IN THE U.S.

July 4 th is the biggest summer holiday throughout the United States. The fact that schools are not in session on this day makes this observance more of a family or community affair. Many families and friends enjoy picnics, barbecues, or beach outings.

Various celebrations are held across the country. The occasion is also commemorated by colorful and noisy fireworks, band concerts, parades, and sporting events. The American flag is flown and red, white and blue ribbons are used for decoration at public ceremonies.

The army marks the occasion by firing a thirteen-gun salute. Throughout the nation, church bells ring in memory of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell that first proclaimed American independence.

The American flag has fifty white stars and thirteen stripes (seven red, six white). The fifty stars are for the fifty states in the United States, and the thirteen stripes are for the first thirteen states. The flag has changed many times, (every time a new state joined the USA) but the flag which you can see today goes back to the Fourth of July 1960.