Independence Day
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 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 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's 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
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.
Government
GSA Contracted
