As the Fourth of July approaches, we are planning our BBQ menus and deciding where to watch the fireworks. Amidst the fun celebrations, it’s important to remember the history behind the holiday and the significance of the Declaration of Independence.
No More Taxation Without Representation
In 1776, America’s 13 Colonies were fed up with paying taxes to England’s King George III, without having representation in the British Parliament. They repeatedly tried to resolve matters without military conflict, but were not successful. So, on June 11, 1776, the Colonies’ Second Continental Congress formed a committee to create a document that would cut off all ties with Great Britain.
Among the committee members were Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson wrote the original document and a total of 86 changes were made to his draft before the final version was approved on July 4, 1776. The next day, copies of the Declaration of Independence were distributed and it was printed the newspaper. The document is now regarded as our nation’s most cherished symbol of freedom.
Light Up the Sky for the Fourth of July
On July 8, 1776, public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia’s Independence Square to the ringing of bells and band music. The next year, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks.
Towns of all sizes soon celebrated July 4 with processions, picnics, games, military displays and fireworks. Observations throughout the nation became even more common at the end of the War of 1812 with Great Britain. In 1870, Congress established Independence Day as a holiday and in 1938, recognized it as a paid holiday for federal employees.
Today, we continue to celebrate Independence Day with parades, firework displays and backyard barbeques. It’s a small way to show appreciation for an event that forever changed our history.
Source: PBS