Why do we celebrate the 4th of July – Independence Day in America today?

As the nation celebrates Independence Day – July 4th tomorrow with traditional picnics, parades, fireworks and family gatherings, let us take a moment to reflect on why we actually celebrate the 4th of July….”Independence Day”

In 1775 there were 13 colonies under the rule of England’s King George III. There was great unrest among the colonists around the taxes they had to pay to England – “Taxation without Representation” because the colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament….causing great unrest within the colonies.

April 1775 — King George’s troops advance on Concord, Massachusetts, prompting Paul Revere’s midnight ride that sounded the alarm “The British are coming, the British are coming” which prompted the unofficial beginning of the American Revolution.

May 1776 – Almost a year had passed and the colonies were still unable to work out differences with England.

June 1776 –A committee was formed to draft the formal Declaration of Independence.

June 28, 1776 –Thomas Jefferson presented the first draft of the declaration to the Continental Congress. King George did not want to negotiate with the colonies and sent extra troops to help control any rebellion that might be arising….but the British lost and on July 4th the colonies declared their independence from the British.

July 4th, 1776 – The 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia, to form the First Continental Congress and while there was trouble in the making, the colonies still had not yet declared war. King George did not want to negotiate with the colonies and sent extra troops to help control any rebellion that might be arising….but the British lost and the colonies declared their independence from the British.

August 1776 – Although the signing of the Declaration began on July 4th, it was not actually completed until August, 1776.
And so we celebrate our nations Independence and wish all a happy and safe 4th of July!

by Kathy Gallin