Celebrating Independence

Celebrating the Fourth provides a history of this holiday and explores its role in shaping a national identity and consciousness in three cities - Boston, Charleston, and Philadelphia - during the first fifty years of the American republic. Independence Day celebrations justified, validated, and helped maintain nationalism among people unused to offering political allegiance beyond their own state borders.

Independence Day is a holiday known for the many ways in which people choose to celebrate, parades, cookouts and, of course, fireworks. To many, the holiday is known simply as the Fourth of July. Some readers may not know the reasons we celebrate this holiday. What is the significance of celebrating on this specific date? What exactly happened on July 4, 1776? With accessible vocabulary and eye-catching photographs, this book will teach readers about the history behind the holiday, and the different ways that families across the country celebrate Independence Day.

HOLIDAYS & HEROES brings to life the people whose holidays we celebrate. Enriched with colorful illustrations, photographs, and other historical images, this series will engage and involve children in the stories behind our holidays and the people they honor. Every 4th of July, we celebrate the United States of America, the “land of the free.” Learn the story of our country’s beginnings and how our courageous Founding Fathers broke away from royal rule with the Declaration of Independence.

Introduces the birthday of the United States of America, how the war for independence was fought and won, and how people today celebrate this special holiday.

Introduces the birthday of the United States of America, how the war for independence was fought and won, and how people today celebrate this special holiday.

This is the first comprehensive reference work on America's Independence Day. Bringing attention to persons, places, and events of historical significance, the book focuses on the Fourth of July as it has been commemorated over the span of more than two centuries, starting with the first celebrations: public readings of the Declaration of Independence that occurred within days of its signing. Biographical sketches feature presidents (and how each celebrated the Fourth) and other politicians, famous soldiers, educators, engineers, scientists, athletes, musicians, and literary figures. Other topics include parks, monuments and statues dedicated on the Fourth; famous speeches and the personalities behind their stories; and general subjects of interest including education, abolition, temperance, African Americans, Native Americans, wars, transportation and holiday catastrophes.

In the United States, the Fourth of July means picnics, parades, and fireworks. But it wasn't always so. The First Independence Day happened during a time of war. Here's the story.

Independence Day is about more than just picnics and fireworks. It is a time to celebrate the birth or our nation. Readers will learn the proud history of the founding of the United States and find out what that means for Americans today.

Through captivating, simple language, young readers will learn about the history of America’s independence and how it is celebrated across the country. From flags to fireworks, full-color photos will be sure to make this text a favorite for students across the United States. Readers can even make their own sparklers and a Fourth of July-inspired recipe to celebrate!

Perhaps the most appropriate place to celebrate the Fourth of July is Monticello, the home of the author of the Declaration of Independence. Since 1963--and on occasion before then--the Thomas Jefferson Foundation has hosted an annual naturalization ceremony on Independence Day during which people from around the world become Americans. This gift volume gathers some of the stirring remarks made by national figures as they have addressed the new citizens. Speakers featured in the volume include Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Gerald Ford, along with General Colin Powell, scientist Carl Sagan, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, historian David McCullough, author Frank McCourt, and former Ambassador Andrew Young. Added to their inspirational words are photographs that bring to life the moving patriotism of the occasion. This collection challenges us to reflect on the opportunities and obligations of American citizenship. Jefferson himself hoped that Americans would use the Fourth of July--what he called "the great birthday of our republic"--to "refresh our recollections of [our] rights, and an undiminished devotion to them." Experience for yourself this celebration of freedom, renewal, and opportunity.