The History Of Independence Day
Many
years ago, colonists traveled across the ocean to America to find a
better place to live. They set up colonies and began to establish their
own rules to live by. However, the colonists were still under the rule
of The King of England, King George III. The colonists grew tired of
being governed by the king and paying the high taxes. They wanted to
establish a government in America that was ruled by the people. There
were 13 colonies who decided to rebel against the king. These colonies
included: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. These colonies elected
representatives to meet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774. The
representatives were called the First Continental Congress, and they
decided to write a document to let England know they wanted to govern
themselves. The men asked Thomas Jefferson to write the first draft of
the Declaration of Independence. Meanwhile, things got so bad between
America and England that they went to war. This war became known as the
"shot heard around the world." Thousands of Americans lost their lives
fighting for America's freedom, much like soldiers today. On July 4th,
1776, the Second Continental Congress met to adopt the final copy of
the Declaration of Independence and declare our independence from
the King of England. However, the war with England did not end until
1783. Today, we celebrate the 4th of July with parties, picnics,
fireworks, and days off work, but we must never forget the expensice
price our forefathers paid se we could be free. |