History of the 4th of July


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History of the 4th of July

 

Today is July 4th, the birthday of the United States of America. Here’s a look at the history of the 4th of July:

On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies declared their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of what is today the United States. Each year on July 4th, Americans celebrate this historic event.

Did you know that conflict between the colonies and England was already a year old when the colonies convened the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776? In a June 7th session in the Pennsylvania State House (later known as Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with these famous words:

“Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

Lee’s words eventually led to the drafting of a formal Declaration of Independence. On July 1, 1776, the Continental Congress reconvened, and on the following day, the Lee Resolution for independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies (New York did not vote). The process of revision continued through July 3rd and into the late afternoon of July 4th, when the Declaration was officially adopted.

Of the 13 colonies, nine voted in favor of the Declaration, two (Pennsylvania and South Carolina), voted “No.” Delaware was undecided and New York abstained.

John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It’s said the Hancock signed the declaration “with a great flourish so England’s “King George can read without spectacles!”

Today, the original copy of the Declaration of Independence is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and July 4th has been designated a national holiday to commemorate the day the United States laid its claim to be a free and independent nation.