History of the Independence Day
On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence(at that time known as “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America”) in Philadelphia, PA. This document declared that the Thirteen Colonies were “Free and Independent States” and that “all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved.”
The above image of the Declaration is taken from the engraving made by printer William J. Stone in 1823.
You can see an actual scan of the Declaration of Independence here.
The celebration of Independence Day didn’t truly start until after the war of 1812. On June 28, 1970, Congress passed a law making Independence Day a national holiday. Now, Independence Day is marked by large gatherings filled with food, fun, and fireworks. Often, you’ll hear the National Anthem either played or sung. You may even hear the Pledge of Allegiance recited.
National Anthem
The Defense of Fort McHenry
by Francis Scott Key
20 September 1814
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I came across your blog from SisterLisa’s blog site (Apples of Gold). Your blog is absolutely wonderful!!! It was refreshing to read the Pledge of Allegiance 🙂 Keep up the good work!!