Have you ever thought what is the 4th of July history and why we celebrate a happy Fourth of July every year?
Happy independence day 2020 also known as Happy 4th of July is a national celebration.
A federal holiday in the United state of America
In the past united state of America was not a free state in the 18th centaury.
At that time the United state of America was called a colony that was an extension of the British Empire.
The USA was part of the British Empire.
Britain people traveled from England and settled in America.
In the early when colonies were established in America, things were quite easy, in control, and normal.
But in 1763 the British Empire strictly take over control of the Colonies.
British Empire ordered to colonies to pay more tax and revenue to their motherland. Colonies have no rights and presentation in parliament.
Then they claimed”No taxation without presentation”.
Britain continued to tax colonies.
At that time Colonies made its first Continental Congress ensure that the British Government recognizes their rights and give them value.
Are you think that the British Government recognized their rights?
A big No, then the American revolution war started.
A History of Independence Day 2020
Contents
In the 18th century, North America was controlled and governed by London(England).
North America was consist of Thirteen colonies.
- Delaware
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Georgia
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Rhode Island
On July 2, 1776, the 2nd continental congress voted in favour of freedom.
After 2 days delegates of 13 colonies adopted independence.
Continental Congress declared that 13 colonies are no longer part of the British Government and a subordinate to the Monarch of Britain, King George III.
4th of July History Background
Before 1776,13 colonies in North America has been in conflict with the British empire.
The British government wants more revenue and tax while 13 colonies want their presence in the British parliament.
No taxation without presentation was a real problem for the British Empire.
France helped North American colonies by proving cannon, gunpowder, clothes and shoes at that time.
13 colonies’ first official ally was with France.
In the 1775 April American revolutionary war broke out, and some colonies demanded complete independence from the British empire.
By the middle of 1775, many colonies joined those colonies that were struggling for freedom.
By the middle of 1775, many colonies joined those colonies that were struggling for freedom.
The conflict between colonies and the British Empire was two years old when 13 colonies arranged a continental congress to sort out the issue in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776.
On June 7 when continental Congress met with the Pennsylvania state house (later called independence hall) in Philadelphia.
Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee presented a resolution with the historic and famous word “Resolved & dissolved” which was a motion calling for the independence of colonies.
Lee words were an incentive for the formulation of Declaration draft.
The resolution was not drafted immediately.
On 11th June Congress postponed the vote on Lee’s resolution but appointed a five-man committee for further consideration.
Committee members are,
- John Adams (Massachusetts)
- Roger Sherman (Connecticut)
- Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania)
- Robert R. Livingston (New York)
- Thomas Jefferson (Virginia)
On July 2nd Continental Congress voted for resolution represented by Lee.
Firstly New york rejected and neglected the resolution but later voted affirmatively.
On that day John Adam wrote his wife Abigail Adams:
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.
It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.
It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more”
Myths About the Fourth of July
Can you believe that John Adams believed that July 2nd was an accurate and correct date to celebrate the birth of America as a free state?
American Celebrate happy Independence day on 4th of July officially .
It publicized more as compared to 2nd July that is an actual date to celebrate Happy independence day 2020.
Historians have long heatedly debated whether members of Congress have signed on the resolution on July 4 or July 2.
American independence day was declared on 2 July 1776.
Pennsylvania Evening Post published this statement at the night of 2nd July
“This day the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies Free and Independent States.”
The vote took place on 2nd July but it was adopted as an independent nation on 4th of July.
Nowadays 4th of July is celebrated as a happy independence day.
Early Fourth of July Celebrations
In pre-revolutionary time Colonists arranged an annual celebration of the king’s birthday.
Early Fourth of July Celebrations
- In 1777 in Bristol, Rhode Island thirteen gunshots were fired in the morning, and evening fell.
- In 1778 General George Washington marked the 4th of July as a double ration for his soldiers to celebrate.
- In 1779, Happy Fourth of July fell on Sunday, hence 4thof July celebration was celebrated on 5 July.
Massachusetts was the first state to recognize the 4th of July as an official holiday state.
- After the revolutionary war, Americans celebrated the 4th of July celebration with patriotic passion and harmony in all states.
- With time the 4th of July became unpopular in the young generation.
- But the last decade of the 18th century two parties Federalist and democratic.
By the 1790s due to partisan conflict, the Happy 4th of July became controversial. At that time the situation was so much harder.
- One party the Democratic-Republicans accepted the declaration and acclaimed Thomas Jefferson while, Federalists thought that declaration was due to french favor and anti-British, which was against their current policies.
- In 1870 the US Congress made the 4th of July as an unpaid holiday for federal employees.
- In 1983 Congress again made it paid federal holiday.
- The 4th of July celebration became more common with every year’s passage.
The death of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson made it more valuable and helped this idea to celebrate it more and more.