U.S. HOLIDAYS
Independence Day
Independence Day is regarded as the birthday of the United States as a free and independent nation. Most Americans simply call it the "Fourth of July," on which date it always falls.
The holiday recalls the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. At that time, the people of the 13 British colonies located along the eastern coast of what is now the United States were involved in a war over what they considered unjust treatment by the king and parliament in Britain.
The war began in 1775. As the war continued, the colonists realized that they were fighting not just for better treatment; they were fighting for freedom from England's rule. The Declaration of Independence, signed by leaders from the colonies, stated this clearly, and for the first time in an official document the colonies were referred to as the United States of America.
It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of the American flag (which also occurs on Memorial Day and other holidays) is widespread. On July 4, 1976, the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was marked by grand festivals across the nation.
Abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials
See also:
About the USA: U.S. History - Revolutionary Period and New Nation
Background
· Celebrate! Independence Day
· Celebrating Independence Day. U.S. Department of State/ IIP
· The Declaration of Independence (History Channel)
· Declaration of Independence: A History (National Archives and Records Administration)
· Fourth of July Celebrations (Library of Congress)
· Fourth of July Celebrations Database (American University, DC)
· Portrait of the USA, Holidays National Celebrations
· The Star-Spangled Banner (Smithsonian National Museum of American History)
· The United States Flag Page
· White House Independence Day Portal
Original Documents
· Abraham Lincoln's Independence Day Address of July 7, 1863
· Address at Independence Hall, President John F. Kennedy Philadelphia, July 4, 1962
· The Declaration of Independence
· Thomas Jefferson Online Resources (University of Virginia Library)
Multimedia
· American Patriotic Music (A-M Classical)
· Patriotic Melodies (Library of Congress. I Hear America Singing)
Exhibits - Digital Images
· American Treasures of the Library of Congress: Star Spangled Banner
· American Treasures of the Library of Congress: Declaration of Independence
· Declaring Independence (Library of Congress)
· Independence National Historic Park, Philadelphia
· Online Exhibit Hall: Declaration of Independence (National Archives)
· Today in History: Independence Day (American Memory. Library of Congress)
For High School Students
· Celebrating Independence (Learners Online)
· Independence Day (Education World. Holiday Center)
· Independence Day on the Net (Holidays.net)
Teacher Resources
· All Fired Up. Explaining Fourth of July Related Themes and Images. Lesson Plan. (New York Times Learning Network)
· Facts for Features: The Fourth of July 2005 (U.S. Census Bureau)
· Independence Day. Lesson Plan. (Schools of California Online Resources for Education )
· The Star Spangled Banner: Educator Information (Smithsonian)
· Teaching with Historic Places: Independence Day (National Park Service)
Links Lists
· Yahoo Holidays and Observances: Fourth of July
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