US Independence Day（美國國慶日）
[ 2001-07-04 01:00 ]
| US Independence Day |
| July 4th (US) |
 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. There was growing unrest in the
colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was
commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists
did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say
in what went on. 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, Philip
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.
And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until
August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of
United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took
place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions
of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to
celebrate America's birthday. And although fireworks have been banned in
most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have
big firework displays for all to see and
enjoy. | |
