Happy Birthday America!

IN THE HOT SUMMER of 1776, more than fifty men were gathered at a meeting place in Philadelphia. They were considering a document carefully written by Thomas Jefferson. It was the Declaration of Independence, the colonies' demand for their freedom.

The Revolutionary War had already begun. Paul Revere had made his famous ride to warn about the approaching British soldiers. The Minutemen had fought bravely at Concord and Lexington in Massachusetts. George Washington had been given command of the American armies fighting against the British. And Thomas Paine had called for independence and freedom in his famous essay, Common Sense.

The 56 men in Philadelphia represented all thirteen colonies. Such famous patriots as Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Hancock were among them.

On July 4, 1776, the final version of the declaration was approved. The thirteen British colonies in America became the United States of America. All ties with England were broken. A new nation was born.

The War of Independence continued, but now there was a real cause to fight for. The cries were liberty, freedom, independence. Finally, in 1781, after Washington defeated Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, the British admitted defeat.

The first celebration of Independence Day was held in 1777, the year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams predicted that it would be celebrated every year by all generations of Americans to follow. And he was right.

Over the years, Independence Day has been celebrated with firecrackers, sparklers, skyrockets, and roman candles. Because fireworks are dangerous, most states in the United States today restrict their use to outside displays that are carefully supervised.

Parades, marching bands, and picnics are other parts of the Fourth of July celebration. Homes display the American flag. And cities and towns are decorated with red, white, and blue bunting.

July 4th, Independence Day, is the birthday of the United States. It is a proud and important holiday. And it is a day on which we should be thankful for the wonderful freedoms demanded in the Declaration of Independence, and guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument. Here, in exalted and unforgettable phrases, Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people. The political philosophy of the Declaration was not new; its ideals of individual liberty had already been expressed by John Locke and the Continental philosophers. What Jefferson did was to summarize this philosophy in "self-evident truths" and set forth a list of grievances against the King in order to justify before the world the breaking of ties between the colonies and the mother country. We invite you to read a transcription of the complete text of the Declaration.

 
Be a signer of the Declaration of Independence
See who were the Signers or the Declaration

When do you fly the American Flag?

Three Cheers For The Red, White & Blue!

Lets Say Thanks
www.LetsSayThanks.com
You can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send a card. This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second.

The House Chamber and Capitol Activities
Download entire 10-page activity booklet includes coloring pages, a word puzzle, and a maze.

Fourth of July Patriotic Gifts!
Proud to Be American!
Celebrate the patriotic holidays with beautiful decorations, banners, and paper goods.

Proud To Be American CD Hero- Honoring America's Bravest CD	Patriotic Theme Mug American Eagle Ice Mold
Sugarfree Red and Blue Starlite Mints	Flag Mints
Fire & Rescue Mints	Police Mints
Flag YoYo American Yo-Yo Stars & Stripes Maracas Stars & Stripes Playing Cards	Patriotic Pinwheel Stars & Stripes Paddle Ball Stars/Stripes Playground Ball Stars & Stripes Beach Pail
Patriotic Flag Deluxe Flag Pole Flag Pole Bracket	Prismatic U.S. Flag Stickers U.S. Flag Stickers Patriotic Star Stickers
Patriotic Centerpieces	Patriotic Balloons
Patriotic Hanging Décor	Patriotic Cut-Outs
Glory Satin Ribbon	Silver Star Confetti

Holidays and Patriotic Celebrations...

Item #... or keyword(s)

America Forever
Patriotic Party Supplies

Old Glory Party Supplies

America Tablecover
Patriotic Decorations

Patriotic Party Items
Patriotic Glow and Light Ups

Patriotic Banners

Patriotic Decorations

Patriotic Decorating Kit
Patriotic Decorama

Metallic Flag Door Cover
23" X 18" Flag Banner
4' Metallic Flag Banner

Red 7' Metallic Column
Gold 7' Metallic Column

Flags

Flags
Bases for Flags
USA Flag
USA Flag Mural

2 in. x 3 in. Cloth USA Flag
Muslin 3.5 x 6 in. Cloth USA Flags
Muslin 6 x 9 in. Cloth USA Flags
Muslin 8 x 12 in. Cloth USA Flags
Muslin 12 x 18 in. Cloth USA Flags

Plastic U.S. Flags 4 x 6 in.
Plastic U.S. Flags 11 x 17 in.

Bright Stars Scene

5' Statue Of Liberty
5' American Flags
Patriotic Stripes Scene
Waving Flags Border Roll

Fireworks Scene Setter
23" X 18" Flag Banner
Metallic Flag Door Cover

Patriotic Bunting Border
Flashing American Flag
4' Metallic Flag Banner

Patriotic Tableware
Patriotic Centerpiece
Patriotic Food Tent

Flag Tray
Patriotic Star Trays

Patriotic 10" Platter
Patriotic Theme Mug

Inflatable Patriotic Cooler
Patriotic Table Favors

U.S. Flag Food Picks
Bulk U.S. Flag Food Picks

Red (solid) Tableware
Red Light Ice Cubes
Red - White - Blue Star Candles

Patriotic Favors

Flag Folding Fan
Fringed Blowouts
Great noisemakers for any party.
LED 7" Tinsel Maraca
Stars & Stripes Tambourine

Red, White & Blue Twist Beads
Red, White & Blue Beads
Blinking Flag Beads
Patriotic Band Bracelets

3" Fireman Figurines

Hats, Vests, and Accessories

Patriotic Vests
Skimmer Hat
American Flag Bandana
Stars & Stripes Bandana
Red Felt Top Hat
Patriotic Vests

Fire Hat
Police Hat
Bandana Cowboy Hat
White Plastic Sailor Hat

Patriotic Party from Plum Party