Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. The colonies were not happy with the taxes that had to be paid to England since th
e colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament 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 Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets.The battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war.
By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.
To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence.
The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. T Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after its inscription -
Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof
History of the American Flag 
For more than two centuries, the American flag has been the nation's symbol of freedom and independence. It has represented these values in every town and city in America, in nations around the world and even in space. Here's a look at the historical development of the American flag:
May 1777
The Continental Congress visited seamstress Betsy Ross' store and asked her to sew the first American flag.
June 14, 1777
The Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act to establish an official flag for the new nation.
"Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
July 4, 1777
The birth of a new nation was heralded as the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time.
January 13, 1794
Congress passed an Act providing for 15 stripes and 15 stars to appear on the flag.
April 4, 1818
Congress passed an Act providing for the addition of one star for each state admitted to the Union; the flag was to be changed on the 4th of July following the admission.
June 24, 1912
President Taft signed an Executive Order providing that the stars be ordered in six horizontal rows with eight stars in each row; each star was to have a single point facing up.� The additional star reflected the admission of America's 48th state, Arizona, into the Union.
January 3, 1959
President Eisenhower signed an Executive Order providing that the stars be ordered in seven horizontal rows of seven stars each in order to reflect the admission of America's 49th and 50th states, Alaska and Hawaii, into the Union.
August 21, 1959
President Eisenhower signed an Executive Order providing that the stars be ordered in nine staggered horizontal rows and eleven staggered vertical rows.
For more than two centuries, the American flag has been the nation's symbol of freedom and independence. It has represented these values in every town and city in America, in nations around the world and even in space. Here's a look at the historical development of the American flag:
May 1777
The Continental Congress visited seamstress Betsy Ross' store and asked her to sew the first American flag.
June 14, 1777
The Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act to establish an official flag for the new nation.
"Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
July 4, 1777
The birth of a new nation was heralded as the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time.
January 13, 1794
Congress passed an Act providing for 15 stripes and 15 stars to appear on the flag.
April 4, 1818
Congress passed an Act providing for the addition of one star for each state admitted to the Union; the flag was to be changed on the 4th of July following the admission.
June 24, 1912
President Taft signed an Executive Order providing that the stars be ordered in six horizontal rows with eight stars in each row; each star was to have a single point facing up.� The additional star reflected the admission of America's 48th state, Arizona, into the Union.
January 3, 1959
President Eisenhower signed an Executive Order providing that the stars be ordered in seven horizontal rows of seven stars each in order to reflect the admission of America's 49th and 50th states, Alaska and Hawaii, into the Union.
August 21, 1959
President Eisenhower signed an Executive Order providing that the stars be ordered in nine staggered horizontal rows and eleven staggered vertical rows.
CelebrationsEach year on July 4th, , Americans celebrate their independence with fireworks and family gatherings.
All Americans are entitled to Independence Day off work - although some people have to work. (like policemen and firemen).
Independence Day is considered a Family Day with picnics, barbecues, fireworks, parades, to celebrate independence and freedom.
Americans proudly fly the American flag and spend the day with their families.
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