The Story of Independence Day and America's Birthday.....
Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating
the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776,
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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 its "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 its 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, Robert R. 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 No, Delaware undecided and 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
its 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 its inscription -
Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.
And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August,
the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence.
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. And although fireworks have been banned in most places because of
their danger, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for all to see and enjoy.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!
Enjoy this special day & be safe friends!
