Celebrate Independence Day

PUBLISHED: June 30, 2010

In July We Celebrate Our Nation's Birth

The July 4^th Holiday, also known as Independence Day, is a Federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, regarded as the birthday of the United States of America.

The Declaration of Independence formally established the 13 American colonies as independent states, free from the rule and influence of the British Empire.

On July 2, 1776, during the American Revolution, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence, a legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was a statement explaining this decision. After several revisions, Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY - THANK A SOLDIER

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE:

Friends of Fisher House, Illinois #253

Fisher Houses provide compassionate lodging in warm, supportive home environments free of charge for the families of seriously ill patients being treated at military and VA medical centers.

http://www.fofhil.org/index.html

Operation Support Our Troops - Illinois

Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois, Inc. is one of the largest volunteer based military support efforts in the country and is funded solely by donations.

630-971-1150

http://www.osotil.org/mainpage.html

Yellow Ribbon Support Group

Yellow Ribbon supports the men and women of the United States active military forces deployed to foreign shores through prayers, letters, and "wish list" packages on behalf of all Americans.
Mac or Pat McCoy at 847-359-2429

http://www.yellowribbonsg.org/help_to_help.html

We Do Care

We Do Care provides tangible opportunities for the American public to thank and support active duty military personnel, their families, and veterans.

847-381-7797

http://wedocare.4thgenerationsystems.com/

Salute, Inc.

Salute, Inc.., passionately pursues meeting the financial, physical and emotional needs of the military service members, veterans and their families.

847-359-8811

http://www.saluteinc.org/page/show/40382-salute-inc-

Transitional Living Services - New Horizons Center

New Horizons is a transitional home for homeless veterans.

815-334-0540

http://www.tlsveterans.org/

Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America

IAVA is dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans.

http://iava.org/

HISTORY/INFORMATION:

Why do we celebrate the 4^th of July?

We celebrate the July 4^th Holiday to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, regarded as the birthday of the United States of America.

What happened on July 4, 1776? On July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence, establishing the 13 American colonies as independent states and in effect creating a new nation, The United States of America.

What is the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration of Independence formally established the 13 American colonies as independent states, free from the rule and influence of the British Empire.

The declaration serves as the foundation of American nationhood and states:

"that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with inalienable rights," and "that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

July 4^th Milestones:

July 8, 1776, the first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia's Independence Square.
July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks.
July 4, 1800 - In New York City, the first local advertisements for fireworks appear.
July 4, 1801 - The first public Fourth of July reception at the White House occurs.
July 4, 1826 - Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Two signers of the Declaration of Independence, Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both die on this day.
1870 Congress establishes July 4^th- Independence Day as a Federal holiday.
July 4, 1884 - The formal presentation of the Statue of Liberty takes place in the Gauthier workshop in Paris.
July 4, 1926 - The 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
July 4, 1976 - The nation's Bicentennial is celebrated.
July 4, 1992 - The seven astronauts on the shuttle Columbia wave the American flag and sing "Happy Birthday, America" from space.
July 4, 2009 -The crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York opens to the public for the first time after having been closed since Sept. 11, 2001.

National Milestones:

July 4, 1776 - Congress votes to approve The Unanimous Declaration of the 13 United States of America or the Declaration of Independence.

June 14, 1777 - Continental Congress approves the first official flag of the United States.

November 15, 1777 - Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation - the first U.S. Constitution.

May-September 1787 - Constitutional Convention takes place in Philadelphia. Representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies meet to draft the US Constitution.

February 4, 1789 - George Washington is unanimously elected President of the United States

February 2, 1790 - The US Supreme Court meets for the first time

December 15, 1791 - The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights, are ratified

June 15, 1800 - The US capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

MORE RESOURCES:

4^th of July

History Channel - http://www.history.com/topics/july-4th

PBS - http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/history.html

US History

The Library of Congress - http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

The Smithsonian - National Museum of American History - http://americanhistory.si.edu/