Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! Time certainly does fly. I don't know where the first half of the year went.

This weekend you will be watching fireworks and eating hotdogs and toasted marshmallows, but when did Independence Day become the 4th of July celebration it is today?

It all started when Britain taxed the colonies without giving them any say how those taxes were spent. Britain levied a tax on items such as tea, glass, paper, and molasses. Also, the colonists were not allowed to compete with British manufacturers. In 1765, Britain passed the Stamp Act--a tax on all documents, newspapers, and pamphlets--that infuriated the colonists. Even though the tax was repealed, bad feelings remained, especially when the Americans learned they had representation in the British Parliament. Hence, the term "No taxation without representation."

In 1771, a fresh tax on tea triggered the Boston Tea Party, wherein colonists dumped the sea into Boston Harbor. Britain then closed Boston Harbor and removed the city's charter. The Americans issued a Declaration of Rights, which banned the import of goods from Britain until Boston's rights were restored. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia to the First Continental Congress, but they weren't ready to declare war on Britain yet.

But in 1775, when the British government tried to arrest two American leaders at Lexington, things turned sour. The Americans tried to resolve their anger with the British, but with no luck. On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia called for the Continental Congress to declare the colonies free from British rule. During the Second Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson drafted what would become--after revision from the committee consisting of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and William Livingston--the Declaration, which was finished on July 4th, 1776.

One year later, Philadelphia celebrated bonfires, bells and fireworks.The custom spread over the years, and became even more common after the War of 1812--and less political and more popular. In 1941, Congress declared the 4th of July a Federal holiday.

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

Links:


Library of Congress--links to historical documents about the 4th of July

History Channel--history of Independence Day

History of 4th of July

More history of 4th of July and the events leading up to it

Independence Day Crafts

Clipart for Independence Day

Patriotic Wallpapers

4th of July coloring pages and word searches

4th of July crafts

More 4th of July crafts for kids

4th of July activities and printables for kids