The fourth of July is very important to Americans because it is the day they have
gained their independence and freedom.
In the 1700s Great Britain ruled the 13 American colonies that would become the
United States. Many American colonists were unhappy with the British government
because they did not want to pay taxes unless they had a say in the government.
In 1775 the colonists began to fight for their freedom from Britain. Later, in June
1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence,
and he gave it to the Continental Congress. Then, Benjamin Franklin and John
Adams, along with Jefferson worked together to make changes.
The Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed on July 4, 1776. In fact,
independence was formally declared on July 2, 1776, a date that John Adams
believed would be “the most memorable epocha in the history of America.” On July
4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration. It wasn’t signed until
August 2, 1776.