What do Americans celebrate on Independence Day?

Question

Independence from what? What happened on 4th July ?

All I know is from the film and that was about aliens!

RE: thunderchild67. Answering your question.
Yes, actually, I am at school and studying history, but we focus on British history, and at the moment it is the run-up to WWII. Then we are studying the de-militarisation of the Rhineland.

Answer 1

On July 4, 1776, Americans claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream.

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.

Answer 2

The Declaration of Independence was an act of the Second Continental Congress, adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared that the Thirteen Colonies were independent of Great Britain. The Declaration, written chiefly by Thomas Jefferson, explained the justifications for breaking away, and was an expansion of the July 2 Lee Resolution, which first proclaimed independence. An engrossed copy of the declaration was signed by the delegates on August 2 and is now on display in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The Declaration is considered to be the founding document of the United States of America, where July 4th is celebrated as Independence Day.

In short they celebrate their independence from a colonial power.

Answer 3

The Declaration of Independence showed England and other countries that Americans were determined to become a free nation. If the colonists lost the war, all the men who signed the declaration would hang. The document was signed in July 1776 in Philadelphia. It took one year for it to be written.

At first when the thirteen colonies were under England's government there were no great problems. Colonists had limited representation although England appointed the governors and other officials in the colonies.

However, due to the French and Indian War, England went heavily into debt. Much of that war was fought in the colonies with England sending troops to protect the colonists. Therefore the British felt that the colonists should bear a portion of the costs. The British Parliament began tightening tax laws and passing new ones that the colonists disliked.

Finally in 1774, delegates from the colonies met in Philadelphia. This was called the First Continental Congress. The delegates sent a statement to the King telling the colonists views on the taxes and asked that the colonists be allowed to make their own laws. Another continental congress was planned.

Meanwhile, colonial minutemen and British troops fought over supplies of arms the colonists had stored at Concord, Massachusetts. This was the first blood shed in the Revolutionary War.

It soon became clear that independence from England would be necessary.

In June 1776, the congress picked Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston to write the declaration of independence. Since Jefferson was a good writer, he was picked to actually write the document. After it was written, about one-fourth of the first draft was cut out, including a section outlawing slavery. Finally on July fourth the congress passed the Declaration of Independence, although it was not signed by all the delegates for a month. It was then sent to King George III of England.

* The Declaration of Independence is important for several reasons. In the short term it gained sympathy for the cause of independence among the colonists. In the long run it had several important guiding principles that have been key to our country's government as a democracy.
* The main purpose of government is to protect our rights.
* The power of government is with and from the people - the guiding principle of democracy.
* The government controls the army, not the other way around.
* People should not have to pay taxes unless they have representatives that speak for them about taxes.

Answer 4

Their independence from Great Britain. They revolted against taxation without representation at the British Parliament, amongst other thing. The 4th of July recognises the freedom gained in the War of Independence.

Answer 5

The name says it all...Independence Day...they celebrate the independence gained by 13 colonies on 4th July 1776 from the British Crown.

Answer 6

Celebrating the tax revolt. That's why some people think Americans were and still are revolting people.
It is odd, independence then, now like emancipated children, the first persons to call on in difficulty, or the ones to be first protected happen to be the parents rebelled against.
"The Cheeky Lad seeks to see all in context"

Answer 7

did you go to school or are you at a school that does not teach history?????????
Independence Day is celebrated as the date the Declaration of Independence was SIGNED.
This marked the end of British tyranny and rule in the Colonies (yes tyranny is used in the declarartion). BUT before this could happen the american revolution was fought between the british and the opposing 13 colonies.

By the way this answer is given by a FULL BLOODED SCOT who certainly does not show YOUR ignorance of this important historical EVENT now go back to school and rid us all of your embarrassing stupidity!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

Apparently they had a rebellion back in 1776 when we were saving the world from the French.

Answer 9

The signing of the declaration of independence document

Answer 10

This was when the Americans defeated the evil invaders from Kazakhstan and gained their independence