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BY THE MIDDLE OF THE 1700S,ing five and injuring others. The incident, called the “Bosthe thirteen colonies that made up part ofton Massacre,” stunned and infuriated the colonists.
England’s empire in the “New World” wereThe second major event involved a tax on tea. Tea
growing impatient with the laws and restrictions set by a
was a popular commodity in the colonies, but England’sking 3,000 miles away. They were resentful about taxestax laws gave an unfair advantage to one tea merchant,imposed upon them; they felt that they should not havethe British-owned East India Company. This made theto pay British taxes because theycolonists angry, and they decided towere not allowed representatives instop buying and drinking tea from
Parliament. Their sentiments werethe East India Company. To dramaexpressed in the slogan “Taxation
tize the protest, Samuel Adams andwithout representation is tyranny!”other men of Boston organized theMany colonists wanted to be self“Boston Tea Party.” On December
governing and free from British rule.
16, 1773, they dressed up as AmerBut independence would be a gradican Indians, boarded an East India
ual and painful process. Some coloCompany ship and dumped its carnists could not forget that they were
go of tea into Boston Harbor. King
British citizens, and felt that theyGeorge responded by closing Boston
owed allegiance to King George III.
Harbor and enacting more restricOthers wanted the protection of thetions and punishments. In addition,“Mother Country.” Yet almost all
he required citizens of Boston tocolonists were dissatisfied with thehouse and feed British soldiers.
way they were governed by Britain.
Representatives in the Virginia
Unrest and tensions continued
colony took the first step toward into grow, and by 1765 many colonists had joined secretdependence by voting to set up a committee, the Continengroups called “Sons of Liberty” to plan action or evental Congress, to represent the colonies. The First Continenviolence against British authority. This angered the kingtal Congress met in September of 1774 and had delegatesand he sent more troops to enforce British law. The colfrom twelve colonies. They drew up a list of grievances
onists sometimes taunted the British soldiers or threw
against the crown, and this became the first draft of thestones at them.
Declaration of Independence. In theFinally, two major events strongmeantime, colonists continued to orPREVIOUS PAGE: On every Fourth of July in Washington,ly united the colonists against Brit- D.C., a large display of fireworks fills the skies over the ganize protests against Britain, andain, and hurried destiny. On March Capitol Building and the monuments.
to train their own militias.
ABOVE: The Liberty Bell, which originally came from5, 1770, British troops fired on an England in 1752, rang to announce the signing of theThe Revolutionary War began
angry group of Boston citizens, kill- Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776.
on April 19, 1775, when British
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list of grievances. John Hancock, president of the Controops tried to raid the Massachusetts militia. Colonists
tinental Congress, was the first to sign. The document,
were quick to form fighting units and resist the British
the Declaration of Independence, was considered treatroops. In May of 1775 the Second Continental Consonous by the crown, and the fifty-six men who signed
gress met, and elected Virginia delegate George Washit were in danger of being executed. Yet on July 4, 1776,
ington to be Commander in Chief of the Continental
the Continental Congress approved the Declaration ofArmy. He led American troops against the British
Independence, officially breaking bonds with Englandthroughout the war. For the next eight years, colonists
and forming a new independent nation, the Unitedfought fervently for independence. They were not as
States of America.
well trained or well equipped as British troops, butIndependence Day is celebrated on July 4 because on
they had other advantages: They had a fierce and unitthat day independence from Britain was officially deed purpose; they fought on familiar terrain; and theyclared. On July 8, 1776, the Declaration of Independence
used new tactics learned from the Native inhabitants.
was read publicly for the first time and people celebrated.
They often had no uniforms, but their clothing helpedBells rang out, bands played, and ships fired their guns;
camouflage them in the forests, while the British solpeople lit candles and set off firecrackers. But the War ofdiers, called “Red Coats,” were highly visible in their
Independence dragged on until 1783 when independencebright red uniforms.
was finally won. That year, Independence Day was madeDuring the fight for freedom, another war—a war
a holiday in the thirteen new states.
of words—was being waged in
But not until 1941 was IndepenPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. OnJuly 2, 1776, the Continental Con- Above: The Declaration of Independence was signed on dence Day officially declared a fedgress prepared a second draft of the July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
eral legal holiday.
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Harbor in full sail on the Fourth of July, and the BosJohn Adams, who became the Second President ofton Pops Orchestra will play a musical concert of pathe United States, was one of the signers of the Declaratriotic songs as hundreds of people watch fireworks
tion of Independence. He wrote to his wife, “I…believe
burst over the water.
that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as
the great anniversary festival.... It ought to be [celebratThe Liberty Belled] with pomp and parades, with shows, games, sports,“Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto allguns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of
the inhabitants thereof.”
this continent to the other...”
The sight and sound of a ringing bell on the FourthJohn Adams’ words may have predicted or inof July symbolizes freedom to most Americans andspired future Independence Day celebrations. Early Inbrings to mind the Liberty Bell, which rang out in Phildependence Day, or “Fourth of July,” celebrations did,adelphia when the new country was born.
indeed, include games and sports events, shows, miliThe Liberty Bell once hung in the Old State House,tary parades, fireworks, and the liberal firing of guns
which later became Independence Hall, in Philadelphia.
and cannons. But the firearms and fireworks caused
It was rung at every important national event, such as
many injuries, and even deaths. So in the early 1900s,presidential elections, statesmen’s funerals, and of course,
citizens convinced officials to prohibit guns and tothe Fourth of July. The bell came to Philadelphia fromcontrol the use of fireworks on Independence Day. Thea foundry in England in 1752. But the very first timephrase, “a safe and sane Fourth” became a popular
the bell was rung, it cracked! Repairs were made andslogan, and is still used today to encourage safety andfor the next eighty-three years, the bell tolled on special
common sense on the Fourth of July. Today, many citoccasions—the most significant on July 8, 1776 to anies prohibit fireworks or allow only small items likenounce the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
cherry bombs and sparklers. Some cities organize a loSometime after 1846, the Liberty Bell cracked again
cal fireworks show, run by trained pyrotechnics
and it was removed from the bell tower to protect it
specialists.
from further damage. It was placed on display in IndeEvery Fourth of July Americans have a holiday
pendence Hall. Today, the bell is housed in the Liberty
from work or school. Communities and families have
Bell Center, which is open to visitors year round, and is
all-day picnics with favorite foods like hot dogs andpart of the Independence National Historic Park.
hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, pie, and waAt one time, the foundry in England that had madetermelon. Afternoon activities would not be complete
the bell generously offered to take the cracked bell,
without lively music, a friendly baseball game, or Frismelt it down and cast it anew, at no charge. But Amerbee toss, and maybe, a three-legged race, and a pie-eatican officials decided to keep the old Liberty Bell as it
ing or watermelon-eating contest. Some cities have pawas. They felt that the American people loved the oldrades with people dressed as the original “foundingbell, and that the crack in the bell was a cherished partfathers” or early colonists, who march to the music ofof its character and legacy.
high school bands. At dusk, people gather to watch
the city fireworks display. In many areas of the counAmerica,The Beautiful
try, special events take place.
From time to time, it is suggested that the song,
For example, a Freedom Festival is held in Phila“America the Beautiful” be made the national anthem,delphia, Pennsylvania, at Independence Hall, wherein place of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” [See Flag Day,
the Declaration of Independence was signed. Cosp. 87] Proponents of this idea argue that “America thetumed Americans often reenact historical scenes, andBeautiful” is a better national anread the Declaration of Indepenthem because it praises the wholedence for the crowd. In Massachusetts, the ship U.S.S. John F. Following page: Mount Shasta in the Cascades country, not only the flag, and it
Kennedy may come in to Boston rises magnificently to 4,317 meters above northern was not written as a result of a war.
California.

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F e d e r a l H o l I d ay sAmerica, The Beautiful

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fervently: adv. strongly; passionately
terrain: n. land and its physical features
tactic(s): n. strategies; methods
inhabitant(s): n. resident; person who lives in a specificplacecamouflage: v. to hide or conceal by blending in withthe surroundings
visible: adj. able to be seen; clearly seenwage(d): v. to engage in; to carry on
treasonous: adj. acting against one’s own country
execute(d): v. to kill by official orderfirecracker(s): n. type of firework that explodes with abang and a flash of light when lit. See fireworks.
pomp: n. great ceremony or display
bonfire(s): n. large public fire used for celebration orother event
predict(ed): v. to suggest or see the future
fireworks: n. any type of explosive that produces abright display or loud noise, used for celebration
liberal: adj. free; uncontrolled; excessive
firearm(s): n. gun, cannon, or other such weapon
prohibit: v. to not allow; to forbid
sane: adj. mentally stable; using good judgement
cherry bomb(s): n. small round explosive that looks
like a cherry and explodes with a loud crack whenthrown on the ground
sparkler(s): n. a type of fireworks on a long stick which
sends out sparks and flashes of light when lit
pyrotechnics specialist(s): n. phrase. person trained in
the safe use of fireworks and skilled in elaborate fireworks presentations
Frisbee: n. brand name of a flat, round, plastic diskthat is thrown and caught as a sports activity
three-legged race: n. phrase. a foot race in which one
person’s left leg is tied to another person’s right leg,and they run tied together on “three legs”
founding fathers: n. phrase. the men who wrote andsigned the Constitution and led the United States in its
early years
reenact: v. to perform or act out a scene or event fromthe past
burst: v. to explode or break open with force
foundry: n. factory where items are made from melted
ore and metaltoll(ed): v. to ringbell tower: n. a tall structure where bells are hungAlso, it is much easier to sing. “America the Beautiful”
was written in 1893 by Katherine Lee Bates, a writerand professor at Wellesley College. While on vacation,
she took a ride up Pike’s Peak, a mountaintop in Colorado, and saw a spectacular view that few people in thosedays had the opportunity to see. The “spacious skies”
and “purple mountains” inspired her to write a poem,
which was eventually published. The public loved thepoem, and it was often put to music using any tune that
fit the lyrics. Eventually, the poem was set to the musicof a hymn, “Materna,” by Samuel Ward, and this is thesong that Americans know and love today as the mostbeautiful tribute to their country.
Glossary
restriction(s): n. rules; regulations
impose(d): v. to force upon
sentiment(s): n. strong feelings
slogan: n. saying or phrase that expresses the feelings
or cause of a grouptyranny: n. unjust or cruel use of power
gradual: adj. slow; little by little
allegiance: n. loyalty
unrest: n. public dissatisfaction or rebellion
tension(s): n. strained or hostile relations
taunt(ed): v. to tease in a hostile way
destiny: n. fate; future
massacre: n. execution of a large number of peoplestun(ned): adj. shocked; surprised
infuriate(d): adj. greatly angeredcommodity: n. product or good which is bought orsoldadvantage: n. benefit, gain, or profit
dramatize: v. to emphasize in a vivid or emotional waydress(ed) up: v. phrase. to wear a costumecargo: n. a load of goods or raw materials carried byship or airplane
enact(ing): v. to make official; to make into a law
house: v. to provide lodging or shelter
grievance(s): n. complaintcrown: n. monarchy; the king and his rule
militia(s): n. local, state or reserve military force, calledin for emergencies
raid: v. to attack for the purpose of stealing goods andsupplies
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F e d e r a l H o l i d ay scast: v. to shape melted metal
anew: adv. in a new manner; once morecherish(ed): adj. loved and respectedlegacy: n. special history or anything that is handed
down from one generation or era to the next
anthem: n. a song that is symbolic of a people, a group,
a culture, a movement; usually a song of praise
proponent(s): n. one who supports or agrees with acause or ideaspacious: adj. having a lot of space; wide and open
hymn: n. religious song or melody

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