America Celebrates 241st Independence Day — See How The US Got Its Freedom And From Whom
The United States is celebrating its 241st Independence Day Today, Tuesday, July 4.
Like India, the United States also fought hard for its Independence from Britain’s occupation.
On the 4th July every year, Americans come together to mark Independence Day - the birth of their nation and the biggest holiday across the pond.
The day – a federal holiday – marks when the US won independence from the British Empire after the Revolutionary War.
The 4th July celebration commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 241 years ago on July 4, 1776.
It's historically important for Americans, but it has also become a huge holiday celebration with parties and events across the country in every state.
The day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues and picnics, family reunions and baseball games. It's an excuse - or reason - to go all out and celebrate what makes the United States, well. the United States.
What is Independence Day and what's the story behind it?
It’s one of the biggest holidays in the US calendar. The 4th July marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which was signed in 1776. The Thirteen Colonies of America declared themselves states and no longer part of the British Empire. The Revolutionary War continued for awhile after though.
The United States of American used to be Thirteen Colonies - a collection of East Coast states, they were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
The colonies were run by the British, who had been on the continent since 1587. At first the relationship between the Brits and the settlers was perfectly amicable, but soon their were complaints about taxes and the British influence. The settlers felt their own sense of pride and nationalism.
In 1765 the settlers asked for 'no taxation without representation' which basically means they wanted a voice in Parliament. The British and settlers didn't exactly settle the issue and the disagreement often erupted into fights such as the Boston Tea Party in 1773, which was a protest against the Tea Act, which gave a British company monopoly over tea sales in the American Thirteen Colonies.
Further acts that took away power from states such as Massachusetts, which had been semi-autonomous, caused further friction.
When things reached a head a meeting was called by the Continental Congress - the delegates from the Thirteen Colonies. At the second meeting the group decided to declare war against the British - it was 1775.
The Declaration of Independence
It was the next year, still during the American Revolution that the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule.
The legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain actually happened on July 2, but the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson at the helm, wasn't signed then.
Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it two days later on July 4. It was signed by 56 representatives from the thirteen states - known before as the Thirteen Colonies.
The fighting didn't cease, it carried on until 1783 and the Treaty of Paris.
The day the Declaration was signed was seen as the birth of the nation - and Independence Day was born.
How is it celebrated?
It's probably easier to ask how it isn't celebrated! Fireworks, picnics, feasts, baseball, family gatherings, parties...the list goes on.
Rhode Island saluted with 13 gunshots on July 4, 1777 on the first anniversary - the area has held the longest running Independence Day celebration in the United States.
George Washington in 1778 - then a general in the revolutionary army - gave his troops a double ration of rum to mark the occassion.
While you'd think the first song to mark the day may have been Star Spangled Banner it wasn't. Psalm of Joy by Johann Friedrich Peter from Salem, North Carolina seems to be the first song attached to the celebrations.
How does Government mark it?
It was made an unpaid national holiday in 1870 for federal workers, and then in 1938 it became a paid holiday across the States.
A salute from one gun in each state called the "salute of the union" is fired at noon by military bases.
What songs are linked with it?
The national anthem The Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America, America the Beautiful, My Country, 'Tis of Thee, This Land Is Your Land, Stars and Stripes Forever, and regionally, Yankee Doodle in northeastern states and Dixie in southern states. Some of the lyrics recall images of the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812.
At the home of America's founding father, cake, drink and a quiz beckon,
Major League Baseball take on center stage.
The park will become a baseball field for the day with reps from Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers . England cricket stars Jos Buttler and Alex Hales will also give it a go.
The red, white and blue hats are key to any 4th July party.
How Ameeica's Independence was achieved:
How did it happen and what struggles people of the United States had to undergo, forging the nation that later became the strongest and the wealthiest country in the world.
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress announced that the 13 British colonies were free from the rule of the United Kingdom. The colonies declared themselves a free country. Though the founding fathers wanted July 2 to be the day of merry-making, day 4 of July was chosen for celebrations and since that day, the United States is celebrating Independence day on July 4.
Britain had declared a war on the thirteen colonies in 1775, which was later called the American War of Independence or American revolutionary war.
In 1976, the Continental Congress asked George Washington to lead the Continental Army.
Britain had declared a war on the thirteen colonies in 1775, which was later called the American War of Independence or American revolutionary war. In 1976, the Continental Congress asked George Washington to lead the Continental Army.
Sir William Howe launched a British counter-attack, capturing New York. Later, the Americans won at Trenton and Priceton. The British launched an invasion of Quebec under the leadership of John Burgoyne. Howe committed a strategic error as he didn’t assist Burgoyne but launched a separate campaign against Philadelphia. Burgoyne lost and France became the American ally in 1778. Spain also joined as an ally of France. After a prolonged struggle, Britain finally agreed to recognise the sovereignty of the United States of America.
A patriot and the second President of the United States, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
Though, July 2nd couldn’t become the day of celebrations, the 4th of July has become the day of national festivities.
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