On July 4, 1776, the US declared independence from Great Britain by adopting the Declaration of Indepedence. The Declaration was sparked by the anger over Parliament's Stamp Act in 1765. Colonists called for boycotts of British goods and the call of "no taxation without representation" echoes over the land. The Act was appealed in 1766 after months of protests and attacks against tax collectors and the customhouses. Then in 1773 the Tea Act was passed basically allowing the East India Company to become a monopoy in the American tea trade. This was seen as another taxation by the Americans, thus sparking the "Boston Tea Party" and a chain of events of the British dominance in the Massachusetts including the closing of Boston merchant shipping and establishing British rule. The first Continental Congress was called to lead a united resistence to British rule. In Lexington, April 19, 1775 the first shots of the American Revolution against the British were fired.
The Continental Congress began passing measures to outst British rule. In 1776 Thomas Paine wrote and published Common Sense, a highly circulated pamphlet agruing the importance and need for independence.
The Declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson (the 3rd president of the United States). You can read a copy of the Declaration at the National Achives site. Jefferson wrote the immortal words American's live by today "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
The Revolutionary War continued on for five years after the Declarations of Independence was adopted by the thirteen States. In 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the United States became officially a free and independent nation.
So today while enjoying your July 4th with cook outs and fireworks, give a few moments to think of the brave men and women who fight for freedom--past and present.
Marianne LaCroix
http://www.mariannelacroix.com/
SEA HAWK'S MISTRESS -- Coming July 18, 2007 from Ellora's Cave
THE GLADIATOR -- Coming Summer 2007 from New Concepts Publishing
CROSSED SWORDS -- Fall 2007 from Ellora's Cave
The Continental Congress began passing measures to outst British rule. In 1776 Thomas Paine wrote and published Common Sense, a highly circulated pamphlet agruing the importance and need for independence.
The Declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson (the 3rd president of the United States). You can read a copy of the Declaration at the National Achives site. Jefferson wrote the immortal words American's live by today "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
The Revolutionary War continued on for five years after the Declarations of Independence was adopted by the thirteen States. In 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the United States became officially a free and independent nation.
So today while enjoying your July 4th with cook outs and fireworks, give a few moments to think of the brave men and women who fight for freedom--past and present.
Marianne LaCroix
http://www.mariannelacroix.com/
SEA HAWK'S MISTRESS -- Coming July 18, 2007 from Ellora's Cave
THE GLADIATOR -- Coming Summer 2007 from New Concepts Publishing
CROSSED SWORDS -- Fall 2007 from Ellora's Cave
