Independence Day
Happy Birthday USA
A Short Synopsis
Independence
In the United States, Independence Day is
celebrated on July 4th. On that day in 1776, the Continental Congress
adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Definitions from Webster's Dictionary
Independence Day \In`de*pend"ence Day\ In the United States, a holiday, the 4th of July, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on that day in 1776.
Declaration of Independence (Amer. Hist.), the declaration of the Congress of the Thirteen United States of America, on the 4th of July, 1776, by which they formally declared that these colonies were free and independent States, not subject to the government of Great Britain.
The Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell is a treasured relic of the early days of American independence. It was rung July 8, 1776, with other church bells, to announce the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Its inscription, "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," is from the Bible (Lev. 25:10).
The Liberty Bell weighs over 2,080 pounds (943 kilograms). The colonial province of Pennsylvania paid about $300 for it in 1752. Today the bell hangs in Liberty Bell Pavilion, just north of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
The Liberty Bell was first cast in England. It broke in ringing after its arrival and was recast in Philadelphia from the same metal, with the same inscription, in 1753. The Liberty Bell rang at each successive anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration until 1835. The bell broke on July 8 that year, while being rung during the funeral of John Marshall, chief justice of the United States. It became known as the Liberty Bell about 1839, when abolitionists began to refer to it that way. Previously, the bell had been called the Old State House Bell.
The Liberty Bell is no longer rung, but it has been struck on special occasions. On June 6, 1944, when Allied forces landed in France, Philadelphia officials struck the bell. Sound equipment broadcast the tone to all parts of the nation. Independence Hall was the permanent residence of the bell from 1753 until Jan. 1, 1976, when it was moved to the pavilion.
Declaration Of Independence
Interesting information about the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence is the historic
document in which the American Colonies declared their freedom from
Britain. The Second Continental Congress, a meeting of delegates from
the colonies, adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776. This date has
been celebrated ever since as the birthday of the United States.
The Declaration of Independence eloquently expressed the colonies' reasons
for proclaiming their freedom. The document blamed the British government
for many abuses. However, it also stated that all people have certain
rights, including the right to change or overthrow any government that
denies them their rights. The ideas expressed so majestically in the
Declaration have long inspired freedom-loving people throughout the
world.
When was the Adoption of the Declaration?
On July 2, the Congress approved the Lee resolution.
The delegates then began to debate Jefferson's draft. A few passages,
including one condemning King George for encouraging the slave trade,
were removed. Most other changes dealt with style. On July 4, the Congress
adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.
Who were the first two signers
of the Declaration?
The Declaration was signed by John Hancock as
president of the Second Continental Congress and by Charles Thomson,
the Congress's secretary. It was promptly printed and read to a large
crowd in the State House yard on July 8. On July 19, the Congress ordered
the Declaration to be engrossed (written in stylish script) on parchment.
It also ordered that all its members sign the engrossed copy. Eventually,
56 members signed.
Where is the original Declaration
of Independence?
The original parchment copy of the Declaration
is housed in the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. It is
displayed with two other historic American documents--the United States
Constitution and the Bill of Rights
Movement Toward Independence
The movement for independence (1754-1783)
Relations between the American Colonies and Great Britain
began to break down during the mid-1700's. Little by little, Britain
tightened its control over the colonies. Its leaders passed laws that
taxed the colonists and restricted their freedom. The colonists had
become accustomed to governing themselves, and had developed a sense
of unity and independence. As a result, they deeply resented what they
considered British interference in their affairs. Friction between the
Americans and British mounted, and, on April 19, 1775, the Revolutionary
War broke out between the two sides. During the war--on July 4, 1776--the
colonists boldly declared their independence from their mighty British
rulers. In 1783, they defeated the British and made their claim to independence
stick.
Revolutionary War
Fighting broke out between American patriots and British soldiers
in April 1775. The Americans in each colony were defended at first by
the members of their citizen army, the militia. The militiamen came
out to fight when the British neared their homes. The patriots soon
established a regular military force known as the Continental Army.
Britain depended chiefly on professional soldiers who had enlisted for
long terms. The British soldiers were known as redcoats because they
wore bright red jackets.
The patriots won several victories in New England and the Southern Colonies
during the early months of the Revolutionary War. As the fighting spread,
many Americans became convinced of the need to cut their ties with Great
Britain. In July 1776, more than a year after the start of the Revolutionary
War, the colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence.
As the fighting intensified, hopes of reconciliation with Britain
faded. On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a
resolution to the Second Continental Congress stating that "these
United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent
States ..." After several days of debate, the Congress appointed a
committee to draft a declaration of independence. The committee gave
the task to Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, who completed the work in
about two weeks. Two other members, Benjamin Franklin of
Pennsylvania and John Adams of Massachusetts, made a few minor
changes
Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam is a figure that symbolizes the United States. The
term originated as an unfriendly nickname for the U.S. government during
the War of 1812.
The term "Uncle Sam" was used as early as 1813. In that year, a Troy,
N.Y., newspaper stated that it apparently had arisen because of the
initials "U.S." on government wagons. In 1816, the nickname appeared
in a book title, The Adventures of Uncle Sam. It was later asserted
that the term had its origin in a specific person--Samuel "Uncle Sam"
Wilson of Troy, N.Y., who supplied the army with "U.S."-stamped barrels
of provisions.
The costume of Uncle Sam, decorated with stars and stripes, originated
in cartoons of the 1830's and 1840's. But the figure did not assume
its present form until after the Civil War (1861-1865). In 1961, Congress
passed a resolution saluting Samuel Wilson as the person who inspired
America's national symbol.
"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."