We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. These words are part of America’s Declaration of Independence, one of the texts involved in the founding of the United States of America. The document was approved on July 4, 1776, a date which Americans celebrate as their nation’s Independence Day.
At the time, much of what is now the United States was populated only by Native American tribes though the land was claimed by European countries. The signers of the Declaration of Independence came from 13 British colonies located along the east coast of North America. Eventually these colonies would become the first 13 states of the United States after fighting for their independence from Britain.
Nowadays families and friends celebrate by gathering for barbecues, where they grill burgers and hot dogs and eat outside to take advantage of the warm weather. Some towns host local parades, and even more set off fireworks at sunset. And it’s all to remember the signing of a document that set off a chain of events that created the country Americans call home. |