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.