Have a safe time celebrating Independence Day on July Fourth.

Summer is here and so is the holiday that celebrates America’s independence from Britain nearly 250 years ago. It’s a great time to enjoy family, friends and fireworks. Please be careful while enjoying all of the above. The United States of America has a rich history going back to it’s humble beginnings. Below is a brief summary of those days leading to independence.

The History of July 4th being Independence Day

On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, leading to the formation of the United States. The colonies and England had already been at odds for a year when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in the summer of 1776. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution in a June 7th session in the Pennsylvania State House. That resolution included these now-famous words:

“Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

These words led to the drafting of a statement presenting to the world the colonies’ case for independence. Members of the committee included famous patriots John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. The task of drafting The Declaration of Independence was given to Jefferson.

On July 1, 1776, the Continental Congress reconvened, and on the following day, the resolution for independence was adopted by the colonies. The Declaration was officially adopted and ratified on July 4th.

Here is a list of July fourth events in the greater Hagerstown, MD area. For other July events in the area, click this link.

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