July Fourth is the birthday of the United States. It is a national holiday. Another name for July Fourth is Independence Day. We celebrate July Fourth as Independence Day because on July 4, 1776, the original thirteen colonies declared their independence from England.
Before 1776, the King of England ruled the thirteen colonies in America. The colonists were angry with the King because of taxes. They wanted their independence from England. A war started in 1775 between the colonists and soldiers from England. The colonists won the war. They wanted to say why they wanted their independence or freedom from England. So they chose Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence.
On July 4, 1776, the leaders of the colonies signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It said that all people were equal and had the right to live in freedom. A new nation was born. People rang bells and fired guns for the birth of the United States of America.
Today, we celebrate July Fourth in many different ways. During the day, many people get together with friends and family members for picnics. Many cities have parades with bands in the streets. At night there are noisy fireworks. These beautiful fireworks of different colors light up the sky all across the country.
a. Independence Day
b. Day of American soldiers
c. Veterans’ Day
2. How many colonies declared the independence from England in 1776?
a. 13
b. 14
c. 15
3. Why didn’t the colonists agree with English political system?
a. Because Americans couldn’t work legally.
b. Because of huge taxes.
c. Because English people were cruel.
4. Why did Americans write the Declaration of Independence?
a. Because every country had such document.
b. Because they wanted to be an organized nation.
c. They wanted to show their wish to be independent from England.
5. What was the main option guaranteed in the Declaration?
a. Wealth
b. Happiness
c. Equality
6. How do the Americans celebrate the 4th of July?
a. Only with families
b. They have parades.
c. There are many options for celebrating.
7. What is the synonym for the word ‘signed’ (paragraph 3)?
a. Learnt
b. Subscribed
c. Received
d. Decided
