*The author of this page does not endorse nor is she responsible
for the ad's on the Geoguide or LExchange banners.*
Click here to break free of someone else's frames!!
The Birth Of A Nation
The history of the United States of America began long before the Colonists declared their independence. The Magna Carta, written in 1215 in order to try to convince King John of England to give the people certain rights, is generally considered to be the touchstone of liberty, upon which later documents are based.
Under the rule of England the colonists became uneasy due to the heavy taxes that King George III had placed on them!! Consisting of just 13 colonies, the colonists had no representation in the English Parliament and therefore had no say in what went on across the sea!! This was referred to as "Taxation
without Representation". As word of the unrest in the colonies reached King George, he sent more troops to the colonies to control any rebellion. The colonists became so angry, they dressed as indians and boarded a ship, breaking open crates of tea and pouring them into the harbor waters. This later became known as the Boston Tea Party.
In 1774 the colonies chose delegates and sent them to Philadelphia. These delegates formed the First Continental Congress. After much discussion and
debate the Congress decided not to declare war.
The following year, King George's troops marched on Concord, Massachusetts. This marked Paul Revere famous ride to sound the alarm He rode through the dark streets shouting: "The British are coming, the British are coming!!"
Paul Revere's Ride
"Chasing the red-coats down the lane,
Then crossing the fields to emerge again
Under the trees at the turn of the road,
And only pausing to fire and load...
So through the night rode Paul Revere"
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
This was the unofficial beginning of the war for indepen dence for the colonies!! This skirmish was where the famous "shot heard round the world" was fired.
In May of 1775 the colonies once again sent their delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For months, they tried to come to an agreement with
England. Congress was still not willing to declare war on England.
The Declaration Of Independence
After months and months of not being able to come to terms agreeable to all concerned, a committee was selected. The commitee chairman was Thomas Jefferson. Other commitee members included Benjamin FRanklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Philip LIvingston. Together they would compose the Declaration of Independence!! June 28th, the first draft was brought before Congress. Changes were made and the final draft was presented for a vote on July 4th 1776!! Nine of the thirteen colonies voted for the Declaration. The delegates from New York and Delaware abstained while the delegates from South Carolina and Pennsylvania voted no. View the Declaration of Independence Once the Declaration was voted in the delegates signed it. John Hancock signed his name with great flair. He
wanted to make sure King George would have no trouble seeing his signature!! On July 6th, the Pennsylvannia Evening Post was the first newspaper to print a copy of the Declaration. Days later the first public reading of the Declaration was held at the Independence Square in Philadelphia. The Declaration was read twice that day as church bells rang out and throngs of people cheered.
The Liberty Bell
On July 8, 1776, the chime that changed the world occurred when the Liberty Bell rang out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning citizens to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon. The bell that would later
become known as the Liberty Bell, was rung at Independence Hall. The bell carries the inscription - "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants There of Leviticus XXV:X." The Liberty Bell is a pre-Revolut-
ionary War relic that was first hung in 1753 in the newly finished Pennsylvania State House, the building that would eventually become Independence Hall. Take a tour of Independence Hall. Independence Hall is considered to be the birthplace of the United States. It was within its walls that the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed. The Liberty Bell was rung on the adoption of the
Declaration of Independence in July 1776, inaugurating an Independence Day tradition that was observed every year (with the exception of 1777-78, when the bell was removed and hidden from the British occupiers of Philadelphia.) The bell was removed from the tower and taken to Allentown, Pennsylvania, for safekeeping. It was returned to Philadelphia and replaced in Independence Hall in 1778. Thereafter, the bell was rung on every July 4 and on every state occasion until 1835, when, according to tradition, it cracked as it was being tolled for the death of Chief Justice John Marshall. That year a small
crack enlarged to the point where the bell could no longer be sounded. Perhaps the most famous symbol of the colonial struggle for independence, The bell was moved to its present location in a glass pavilion in 1976, Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell provilion near Independence Hall in Pennsylvannia. The bell weighs 943.5kg (2080 lb.) and is 3.7 m (12 ft) in circumference at the lip.
The bell was ordered in 1751 and was cast in London. It arrived in Philadelphia in August 1752 and was cracked while being tested. It was melted down, and a second bell was cast in April 1753, but this one was also defective. A third was cast in June of that year, by the firm of Pass and Stowe in Philadelphia. On June 7, 1753, the third bell was hung in the tower of Independence Hall.
If you'd like to learn more, visit the Homepage of the Liberty Bell
Pennsylvania Declaration of Independence (signers)
Robert Morris * Benjamin Rush * Benjamin Franklin
George Clymer * James Smith * John Morton
George Taylor * James Wilson * George Ross
The signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, but the 4th of July is the official anniversary
of our nations independence. Independence Day is the most important holiday in the United States. It celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The day has
always been the occasion for parades and patriotic speeches and for every variety of noisy jubilation. In fact, the firing of cannon and fireworks caused so many injuries, by the early 1900’s, ordinances forbidding private pyrotechnics were passed in many cities. Today, Fourth of July fireworks are largely handled by professionals in most towns and cities that have big firework displays for all to see and enjoy.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France. The statue (originally entitled, "Liberty Enlightening the world"
began construction in 1875 and was completed in 1884, and which the people of France presented the Statue to America on July 4, 1884. In early 1885, she was dismantled and shipped to the U.S. on the French frigate "Isere" in 350 pieces contained in 214 crates. In 1886, it was put together and President Grover Cleveland officially accepted it. "We will not forget that liberty here made her move; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected." She was designated a national monument on October 15, 1924. The 7 spikes in her crown represent: the 7 oceans of the world. The 25 windows in the crown represent the natural minerals of the earth. Her toga represents The Ancient Republic of Rome. The torch she holds represents Enlightenment. The chains underfoot represent Lady Liberty crushing the chains of slavery. Inscribed on a plate at her base are the words "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door." Emma Lazaarus (1849-1887)
The American Flag
What do the red, white, and blue of the flag represent? The Continental Congress left no record to show why it
chose the colors. However, in 1782, the Congress of the Confederation chose these same colors for the Great Seal of the United States and listed their meaning as follows: white to mean purity and innocence, red for valor and hard
iness, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. According to legend, George Washington interpreted the elements of the flag this way: the stars were taken from the sky, the red from the British colors, and the white stripes signified the secession from the home country. How ever, there is no official designation or meaning for the colors of the flag.
Patriotic Links
 How To Cook A Hot Dog
|
"Happy Fourth of July"
|
|
Free Patriotic Graphics
|
California 4th of July Fireworks Safety
|
|
Fouth of July On The Internet
|
"Betsy Ross' Home Page"
|
visits so far!!
Have a wonderful holiday and be safe!!
Please always remember...
You are the one that makes
the decision to drink, and please don't get behind the
wheel if you do!!
Pick a designated driver, or give
your keys to someone who hasn't had a drink!!
"Help
make everyone's holiday Safe!!"
"Don't drink and drive"
The life you save could be your own!!
If you think nothing will happen to you, visit Nora's page!!
~Some of the graphics are originals on this page and are
not for download!!~
Some of the graphics on this page came from
The graphics created and Copyright
© Honeybrook Graphics all rights reserved!
Some of the graphics on this page came from
The graphics created and Copyright
© Irene's Corner all rights reserved!
Some of the graphics on this page came from
The graphics created and Copyright
© Graphics Cupboard all rights reserved!
This web site was created by CL&M Tuck
© 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2002.
This site was last updated Tuesday, February 12, 2002.
This page hosted by
Free Home Pages!
