History of 4th of July (American Independence Day)

History

Before the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, there were thirteen American colonies under Great Britain. The relation between the thirteen colonies and America was deteriorating as the British parliament imposed several kinds of taxes and laws on those colonies. Amongst them the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Act of 1767 were very important.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress announced that the Americans had decided that they would be independent state and no longer would be under the British emperor. This formal announcement is known as the Declaration of Independence in history. Before this declaration, the Congress met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to form a committee and told Thomas Jefferson to draft the document. On June 28, 1776, the committee read the final document drafted by Jefferson and declared independence on July 2, 1776. They officially adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. For this reason 4th July is called as the “Independence Day” of America.  All members of Congress started to sign the official copy of the Declaration of Independence from August 2, 1776. In January of the next year, the signed copies were sent to all the states by Congress. 

The Declaration of Independence played very important role in the World history. It is a symbol of American independence and commitment to protect the country’s sovereignty. The signers of the declaration had the risk of being hanged for treason by the rulers of the Great Britain. Knowing the fact that it would be considered as a crime, those brave persons signed the document. They put their all efforts and ideas to prepare the document and stood up with immense courage for the right of Independence. That is why; all Americans should respect the document called the “Declaration of Independence” and celebrate 4th July with great Honor.