July, 4th Independence Day

Before 1776, the United States of America was not a country. The individual states were colonies of the British Empire. They were called British Colonies. This means that the King and Parliament of Great Britain ruled the Colonies.

 

From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

 

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain.

 

Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer, crafted the original draft document (as seen above). A total of 86 changes were made to his draft and the Continental Congress officially adopted the final version on July 4, 1776.

 

By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists' motivations for seeking independence.

 

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.

 

Thomas Paine published Common Sense in January 1776 support of the Patriot cause. Using clear, plain language, Paine rallied the colonists to support the break from Britain. Congress approved the Declaration of Independence months later, and Common Sense is believed to have greatly influenced support for the cause.

 

Lincoln call July 4, 1776 "the birthday of the United States of America"? Given that the War for Independence would not be over until the Treaty of Paris in 1783, what was born on July 4th that Lincoln views as the start of a new nation? It means that the war could go on for a really long time.

 

The United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776. The American Revolutionary War ended in 1783, with Great Britain recognizing U.S. independence. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1785.

 

These are the lines contemporary Americans know best: “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.” These stirring words were designed to convince.

 

In the 1600s, England did not have religious freedom. The Pilgrims were forced to leave England because they refused to follow the Church of England. In 1620, the Pilgrims were given permission to settle in Virginia. ... Instead of landing in Virginia, they landed off the coast of present-day Massachusetts.

 

Among these fundamental natural rights, Locke said, are "life, liberty, and property." Locke believed that the most basic human law of nature is the preservation of mankind. To serve that purpose, he reasoned, individuals have both a right and a duty to preserve their own lives.

 

Published in January 1776 in Philadelphia, nearly 120,000 copies were in circulation by April. Paine's brilliant arguments were straightforward. He argued for two main points: (1) independence from England and (2) the creation of a democratic republic. Paine avoided flowery prose.

 

Thomas Paine did not sign the Declaration of Independence.

 

So "four score and seven years" translates to 87 years. This speech was delivered in 1863; 87 years earlier was 1776, the year that the signing of the Declaration of Independence officially declared U.S. independence and "brought forth on this continent a new nation."

 

The most important part of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is the introductory section called the Preamble.

 

We did some digging, and it turns out fireworks were used to celebrate the first anniversary of the holiday in 1777. The first-ever recorded Fourth of July party was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1777, and like Adams had envisioned, included illuminations, bells, a parade, and explosions.

 

 

Happy Birthday, America!🙋