American Independence Day
4th July
A Short History of America
First People
It is believed that the first people to reach North America came
from East Asia via a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska,
which existed only during ice age periods. This happened at least
12,000 years ago, and could have been as long as 30,000 years
ago.
Populating the Continent
Over subsequent centuries and millennia, people spread out over
the continent living hunter-gatherer life styles. They first hunted
woolly mammoths until they became extinct, and then buffalo from
the huge herds that roamed the expansive plains.
Image: Public Domain
Farming and Settlements
By 1,000 BC, distinct tribes of Native
Americans speaking different
languages had developed in different
parts of the country. More permanent
settlements had been established and
farming practices had been introduced.
Corn was the most important crop.
European Exploration
AD 1492
Christopher
Columbus
landed in the
Bahamas and
then made 3
further
expeditions.
AD 1513
Juan Ponce de
León landed on
mainland
America and
explored the
coasts of
Florida.
AD 1000
Vikings landed
in Newfoundland
and established
a settlement
called Vinland.
Colonisation
1607: Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in
America is founded in what becomes Virginia.
1620: Pilgrims arrive from England on the Mayflower and
establish the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.
1664: The English seize New Amsterdam (city and colony) from
the Dutch and rename it New York.
Events Leading up to
American Independence
1700: Population of colonists 225,000 - reaching 2,221,000 by
1770.
1770:1775 Increasing friction between colonists and the
government of Britain results in the Boston Massacre and the
Boston Tea party.
July 1775: American War of Independence fought between the
colonies and England begins.
4th July 1776: American Declaration of
Independence.
1778: France declares war on Great Britain.
1779: Spain declares war on Great Britain.
1783: Peace treaty signed.
The Declaration of Independence
In 1776, the thirteen American
colonies produced a document
which detailed why they wished to
break away from British rule and
become independent states known
as the United States of America.
The document listed why the
colonies were unhappy with British
rule and explained what they
believed in. The document was
signed by 56 congressmen and sent
to the British government.
On July 4th 1776, Congress officially
adopted the final version of the
Declaration of Independence.
The History of American Independence
Day4th July 1776: The Declaration of Independence was agreed and
adopted by Congress.
1777: The anniversary of Independence was celebrated in
Philadelphia with a bonfire and fireworks and the tradition
gradually spread.
1870: The 4th of July was officially recognised as a national
holiday by Congress.
In America today, the 4th July is a time for people to celebrate what it
means to them to be American.
Families get together for parties and barbecues. Parades, concerts
and special sporting events are held too. Politicians often make
speeches.
The American flag is much in evidence during the celebrations – it is
displayed prominently in homes and public places. Patriotic songs
such as the national anthem, ‘Star-Spangled Banner’, are played.
The History of American Independence
Day
Fireworks
Firework displays have become a big part of the Independence Day
tradition and spectacular displays are held everywhere.
Interesting Facts about American
Independence Day
• 2 of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas
Jefferson and John Adams, both died on 4th July, 1826.
• Calvin Coolidge, the country's 30th president, was born on
Independence Day.
• Americans eat an estimated 155 million hot dogs on
Independence Day.
Glossary
• Hunter-gathers: Any group of people who depend on wild foods
for survival.
• Boston Massacre: The Boston Massacre was a street fight that
occurred on 5th March, 1770, between colonists and a squad of
British soldiers. Several colonists were killed and this led to
deeper anti-British feelings.
• The Boston Tea Party: In 1773, colonists refused to pay taxes
on tea shipments and asked that the tea be returned to England.
When it wasn't, they decided to protest the unfair taxes by
throwing 45 tonnes of tea into the ocean. It was another key
event in the build up to the War of Independence.
TASK
Imagine that you are visiting the United States of America with your family and you have been invited to an Independence Day party. At the party you will be asked 5 questions about the history of this special day.
Write down at least 5 facts so that you will be prepared for the questions. Then design an Independence Day outfit that you can wear to the party. Remember, you will have to wear clothes that are red, white and blue.