US Independence Day (but worksheet in British English)
SOLUTION: The Fourth of July – it’s pretty huge in the United States, but do you know why? It’s more famously known as Independence Day and is a massive annual celebration and national holiday across all 50 states. On this date in 1776, Congress officially announced its independence from Great Britain and their ruler, King George the Third. The USA had been under British rule since the 1600s, when the British founded 13 colonies to make up the country: Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia. As these colonies grew, so too did unrest. Inhabitants were not happy at the taxes they were made to pay by the Brits, or the superior treatment they were expected to show to these impostors, so they rebelled: they decided that they needed to declare their independence in writing. Led by Thomas Jefferson, who would later go on to become the third US President, the Declaration was written, presented and finally accepted actually on 2nd July 1776, but announced to the world two days later on 4th July. This most famous piece of literature is now safeguarded at the National Archives in Washington DC. Its most famous line reads: “All men are created equally” and “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that include life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Americans are extremely proud of this document and can often be heard quoting it during their annual July 4th celebrations. The whole country comes together for huge displays of patriotic celebrations on this day. Families and friends generally honour it with outdoor gatherings, as the weather across the country is usually good around this time—picnics, barbecues and house parties. Parades are held in most cities, where citizens dress in the red, white and blues of the American flag. We can hear the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, being proudly sung all over the country, and fireworks always finish off the day’s festivities. New York City is reported to hold the biggest fireworks display each year, sponsored by the famous department store, Macy’s. Chips, dips, burgers, hotdogs and fries are some of the most popular foods eaten on Independence Day, and are nicely washed down with beer. Over 74 million Americans barbecue on this special day, when 150 million hotdogs and around 63 million cases of beer are consumed over Independence Day weekend. Hey! Where’s my invite? It’s not surprising to learn that over $7 billion was spent on foods solely for the holiday in 2021. Along with Thanksgiving and Christmas, and let’s not forget the majestical Super Bowl, Independence Day is one of the most celebrated occasions in the US, with around 85% of Americans saying they plan to commemorate it somehow.