"The Story of America's Birthday!"

At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.

~~~~~~~~~~~

In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets. The battle of Concord and it's "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out it's differences with England, again without formally declaring war.

~~~~~~~~~~~

By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.

~~~~~~~~~~~

To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock's signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!".

~~~~~~~~~~~

The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had it's first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after it's inscription -

Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof

And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. And although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for all to see and enjoy.
(Taken from Independence on the Net)

Signers of the Declaration of Independence
from the state of South Carolina:

Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Read the Text of the Declaration of Independence

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Declaration of Independence was signed by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the largest city of Pennsylvania and the fifth largest city in the United States. Philadelphia is located in the southeastern corner of the state, at the junction of the Delaware River and Schuylkill River. Philadelphia is about 100 miles from the Atlantic Oceanand is located about halfway between New York City and Washington, D.C..

Because of the prevailing westerly winds that sweep weather systems eastward from the interior of
the continent, the Atlantic Ocean has a relatively small effect on Pennsylvania climate. The state has climates that are generally known as humid continental. There are distinct seasonal variations and an abundance of rainfall. Pennsylvania, Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia. 1993-1997
Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Delaware river is one of the major rivers of the eastern United States. In 1776, George Washington led his troops across the Delaware to defeat German mercenaries allied with the
British in the Battle of Trenton.

In 1861, the land was granted by Charles II of England to William Penn. In 1683, the city became the capital of the newly created colony of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia played a big role in the events leading to the American Revolution. (1775-1783) . The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia from 1774 to 1776 and the Declaration of Independence was signed there in 1776.

Map of Philadelphia in present day.

Benjamin Franklin was a statesman and diplomat for the newly formed United States, as well
as a prolific author and inventor. Franklin helped draft, and then signed, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. As a civic leader, he initiated a number of new programs in Philadelphia, including a fire company, fire
insurance, a library, and a university. (Microsoft Encarta)

Pocono Mountains: At lower elevations Pennsylvania contains hardwood forests typical of the southeastern part of the United States, while at higher elevations trees common to northern forests predominate. Together the forests cover about three-fifths of the state land area. Here, rich, green
forests spread across the Pocono Mountains near the New Jersey border. Pocono Mtns. Vacation Bureau, Inc. Pocono Mountains," Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia. 1993-1997
Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.