Thirteen Colonies in North American each established
a government within the colony to govern themselves
but still recognized their inclusion of the British Empire.
During the last half of the 18th century, These thirteen
Colonies fought to legally separate from Great Britain.
Paul Revere's Midnight Ride on April 18, 1776 warned the
colonies that the British were coming. The British invaded
with their powerful navy to block the coast.
George Washington, the American Commander, worked
with the governments and states and led his army
to claim the thirteen Colonies.
The Governments from each colony then met to write the
Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776, John Hancock,
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and 52 others
signed the United States Declaration of Independence which marked
the day when Congress unanimously approved it.
John Adams wrote a letter to his wife stating that this day
would be the most memorable day in history and that it
should be "commemorated as the day of solemn acts of devotion
to God almighty and should be celebrated with
pomp and parade,
with shows, games, sports, bells, bonfires, and
illuminations,
from one end of this continent to the other, from this
time forward forever more."
From that day forward, the Fourth of July has
become a day of celebration that is celebrated across the
entire United States. It is a day filled of freedom celebrated
by parades, good food with family and friends and fireworks
displays come with load booms and light up the sky
from sea to shining sea.
