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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Independence Day

The most animated American festivity is the Fourth of July or Independence Day. It is the nation’s birthday. The Fourth of July is a salute to freedom and democracy. It is a time to remember America’s ideals of liberty, equality and opportunity for all.

What happened on 4 July?

In the 1700’s the thirteen American colonies belonged to Great Britain. The colonists did not want to be governed by Britain. They wanted to be independent and to choose their own government. They wanted a democracy. Britain imposed high taxes and there were many rebellions.

On 4 July, 1776 a group of patriots wrote the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration proclaimed independence from Britain and democracy and justice for all. With the Declaration of Independence the thirteen colonies created their own nation, the United States of America. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of Independence Day.

The Americans fought against the British in the American Revolution. After years of war the British were defeated in 1781 in Yorktown, Virginia.

Today Americans celebrate the Fourth of July in many different ways. There is an American flag on every flagpole and many people put a flag outside their window. Americans call their flag ‘the Stars and Stripes’.

Every city and town organises its own celebration. Red, white and blue decorations fill the streets.

Traditional Fourth of July events are patriotic speeches, parades, baseball games, competitions, a lot of music, dancing and picnics. These picnics are an old American tradition. The typical picnic consists of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, chocolate cake and ice cream. The festivities usually end with a brilliant fireworks show.

In the West rodeos are a favourite event. A western rodeo is a spectacular event to watch!

In Virginia there are historic parades with people in 18th-century costumes.

In New York City the top of the Empire State Building is illuminated with red, white and blue lights!

In Flagstaff, Arizona, American Indians celebrate with a three-day pow-wow, a rodeo and tribal dances.

Bridgeport, California is a small town in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Bridgeport celebrates Independence Day in an old- fashioned way.

Before the 10 o’clock parade someone reads the Declaration of Independence to the town. Then cowboys and Indians from nearby ranches come to the town on their beautiful horses. Children ride decorated bicycles in the parade. There is a big pie-eating competition. After a delicious picnic of barbecued meat, there is a baseball game. In the evening there is country music and dancing.