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July 4th was just a little while ago! On the outside, this famous American holiday may seem like an entire day of fireworks, barbeque, and red white and blue. But how was it all started? Well, today as you read the Times, I will teach you a little about the history of this famed holiday.
Imagine you are in colonial times. There is no TV, no iPhone, no Samsung, no computers. Sounds rough, right? A lot of us - let's face it, almost all of us, myself included - would just about go batty if we did not have the modern technology we have today. Back then, if you wanted entertainment, you played with the neighbors. However, people were having a great time in the New World. New lands, new places to live, a new continent entirely. However, Britain was taking advantage of the people in their colonies. That just about ruined the mood, people. You have this utopia around you, and then your old country's government wants to tax you until you have nothing? That was not going to sit well with the colonists.
So, the colonies decided to declare independence from Britain. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to approve a movement from Virginia that said that we should be free from Britain. Two days later, on July 4th, the Declaration was adopted by 12 colonies. The last colony, New York, adopted it 15 days later. On August 2, the Declaration was signed.
Fun fact: Did you know that the first president of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, had the largest signature on the Declaration? He believed the British would be able to read his easily due to his large and prominent signature. To this day, the phrase "John Hancock" has gone on to mean your signature! So, if someone asks for your John Hancock, you'll know what to give them!
After the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Britain and the colonies fought the war you know as the Revolutionary War. As evidenced by our status as a country today, America beat Britain and became a separate country with George Washington, a prominent figure in the Revolutionary War, leading as our first president.
July 4th is recognized as America's Independence Day. Across the country, you can see people celebrating, each with a personal touch to their celebration.
I hope you enjoyed reading a little history concerning the 4th of July. So, to all of us in the Land of the Free, wear your stars send stripes proudly and represent the USA for the brave people we are!!
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