Blue Umbrella Official Summer 2017 issue | Page 6

History Corner Rem em bering Independence Day By: Rebekah V. Fireworks are booming and grills are sizzling. People are gathered around to celebrate a monumental moment that made a great impact on the history of the United States. Last month, we observed the Fourth of July. All around the United States, people gathered together to remember what occurred many years ago: the freedom that was given to America. An article from History.com called ?U.S. Declares Independence? says that during the American Revolution in the 18th century, hatred and opposition grew for Great Britain during the battles, especially after the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Tea Act of 1773. It explains that in January of 1776, Thomas Paine wrote a political pamphlet called "Common Sense" that greatly encouraged and argued for American independence. More than 500,000 copies were sold and the desire for independence grew in the hearts of the Americans. Another article called, ?The History of the Fourth of July? from History.com, explains that after years of heavy taxation and frustration, the delegates from the 13 colonies wanted to declare freedom from Great Britain. Thus, the Declaration of Independence was written. It summarized the colonist?s reasons for wanting independence and after voting in favor, the Continental Congress adopted it. Some of history?s great men, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, took part in writing the document. Ever since that year of 1776, the United States has celebrated the freedom it proclaimed from Great Britain through many different activities. Some activities include family gatherings, cookouts, parades, and the ever famous, fireworks.