Independence Day, is an annual holiday in the U.S. commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S.
At the time of the signing the United States consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was a growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly refered 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, the battle of Concord would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
June 1776 a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. It was headed by Thomas Jefferson who also was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the Second Continental Congress on June 28. A vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. To make it official John Hancock, President of the Congress, also signed the Declaration of Independence.
On July 8th the Declaration had it's first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. It was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the "Province Bell", which would later be renamed the "Liberty Bell", was rung. Bands played and people celebrated with fireworks and with candles which they lit and placed in their windows.
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. Congress declared it legal holiday in 1941.
Fourth Of July Page Two
Holiday Page Index
Riparian's Page
MIDI file sequenced by Don Carroll
