History of the 4th of July

What is the 4th of July?

Have you ever thought about why July 4 is such a big deal? It's more than just a holiday or a reason to pop fireworks . It's a very important time in American history. The Declaration of Independence, the important text that said the American colonies wanted to break away from British rule, was signed on July 4, 1776. With its signing, the United States of America became a real country on its own. Americans celebrate the country's birthday in a big way every year to honor this important event. People from all over the country get together for national parades , lively festivals, spectacular fireworks shows, and traditional backyard parties. Today is a time for joy, togetherness, and a shared respect for the freedoms that make this country great.

Which country did we declare our independence from?

To understand why Independence Day matters, it helps to look back at America’s early history. Before becoming a country, the U.S. was made up of 13 British Colonies, including places like Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York. The first colony was Jamestown, founded in 1607. Over the 1600s and 1700s, Great Britain and other European powers continued to expand their reach in North America. By 1775, about 2.5 million people lived in these colonies. Tensions with British rule were rising, setting the stage for the colonies to declare independence in 1776.

What led the colonists to seek independence?

New laws were passed in Great Britain to tighten control, mostly through taxes. This made things worse between Great Britain and the American Colonies. The Crown tried to pay the Colonies back the money it lost in the French and Indian War. Britain's colonies had to pay more money because of the Stamp Act (1765), the Townshend Acts (1767), and the Tea Act (1773). However, the colonies did not have a say in how Britain ran its government. A lot of people were mad about this idea, which they called "taxation without representation."

It became more dangerous because of events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. It was April 1775 when the Battles of Lexington and Concord happened. These were the first fights between rebel groups and British troops. They were the start of the American Revolution.

What really happened on July 4, 1776?

Fast-forward to June 1776, when the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. During this pivotal meeting, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion for the Colonies to declare independence from Britain. In response, a committee was formed to draft what would become the Declaration of Independence. Lee’s resolution passed on July 2, 1776, and two days later, on July 4, the Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration. That date would go on to become America’s birthday. Although the Colonies had declared their freedom, the Revolutionary War continued until September 1783, when the United States formally defeated Great Britain and secured its independence.

What interesting 4th of July facts should Americans know?

• Some colonists celebrated Independence Day during the summer of 1776 by putting on mock funerals for King George III of England—symbolizing the death of the Crown’s rule on America.
• The first annual commemoration of Independence Day happened on July 4, 1777, in Philadelphia.
• John Adams, a Founding Father and the second president of the United States, strongly believed Independence Day should be celebrated on July 2. He even refused to attend 4th of July events because he felt so strongly about July 2 being the correct date.
• Adams and Thomas Jefferson, a fellow Founding Father, both died on July 4, 1826. James Monroe, another U.S. president, also died on July 4, but he passed in 1831.
• Thomas Jefferson was the first president to celebrate Independence Day at the White House, in 1801. The celebration featured horse races, parades, food and drinks—similar to the 4th of July celebrations we see today.
• Although the 4th of July has been celebrated each year since 1776, it didn’t become a federal holiday until 1870. And it didn’t become a paid holiday for federal employees until 1941.

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