Liberal Economics Political Debating Forum

Independence day is much more then a day to drink beer together with your buddies and light off fireworks.  It’s a day to proudly fly the American Flag and present your patriotism for this great country.
Independence Day is the nationwide holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July four, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 
At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies beneath the rule of England’s King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly known as “Taxation without Representation” as the colonists did not have any representation within the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. Because the unrest grew within the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates had been unhappy with England, however were not but able to declare war.
In April 1775 as the King’s troops attacked on Concord Massachusetts Paul Revere would sound the alarm that “The British are coming, the British are coming” as he rode his horse via the late night streets.
The battle of Concord and its “shot heard around the world” would mark the unofficial start of the colonies conflict for Independence. To rejoice the newly fashioned continental army George Washington flew a brand new flag referred to as Grand Union or it was also know as Continental Colors.
The next spring the colonies once more dispatched delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For nearly a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, once more with out formally declaring war.
By June 1776 their efforts had turned out to be hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to put in writing the original draft which was offered to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late within the afternoon of July 4th. Of the thirteen colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 – Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.
To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is stated that John Hancock signed his name “with an important flourish” so “King George can read that without spectacles!”
The next day copies of the Declaration have been distributed. The original newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia’s Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Corridor was rung. The “Province Bell” would later be renamed “Liberty Bell” after its inscription which reads:
Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof Lev. XXV X
By Order of the ASSEMBLY of the Province of PENSYLVANIA for the State House in Philad
Pass and Stow
Philad
MDCCLIII
This inscription originates from Leviticus 25:10

On June 14th 1777 Congress adopted a new flag that was designed by George Washington now affectionately known as the Betsy Ross which was the first official American Flag.

And though the signing of the Declaration was not accomplished till August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration passed off the next year – July four 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks had been established as the best way to have fun America’s birthday.  Most importantly, People everywhere in the country fly the American Flag to show their patriotism.