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History of the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is the great American celebration. It is a day of patriotism, flag waving, and love of country for citizens of the United States of America.

July 4th is actually the day the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Continental Congress. Here is a rough timeline of the events surrounding Independence Day:

The 4th of July is a federal holiday that is observed in all 50 states. It is a major civic celebration honoring the cause of freedom and upholding the rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

In 1777, the 4th of July was celebrated with 13-gun salute both morning and night. Speeches were said, prayers were offered, troops reviewed, and music played.

Today, Independence Day is a time for family fun. Picnics, backyard barbecues, parades, carnivals, baseball games, and fireworks displays are the order of the day. There is something for people of all ages.

Don your red, white, and blue and join the flag-waving fun.

The Charters:
The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights

The National Archives has a gorgeous web site, Charters of Freedom. In it you can learn all about the charters and read the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and more. You can download copies of the originals and add your name to the Declaration of Independence!

History of the American Flag

Betsy Ross is considered to be the creator of the first official American flag. She was a seamstress in Philadelphia who was acquainted with George Washington. It is thought that in May of 1776 General Washington showed her a rough flag design featuring a six-pointed star. When she showed that a five-pointed star could be created more easily with one cut, he acquiesced.

This Stars and Stripes—or Old Glory—had thirteen bars, alternating red and white, and a field of blue with 13 stars in a circle placed in the corner.

The flag has taken quite a journey from the original and unofficial Grand Union Flag—with it's horizontal stripes and British Union Jack in the corner—to the current Star-Spangled Banner.

The National Flag Foundation has provided extensive documentation on American flag etiquette. On their site, just click on the subheads in the left navigation bar to learn everything you ever wanted to know about how to hang, clean, fold, or dispose of a flag.

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was first published in 1892 in Youth's Companion. It was officially recognized by Congress in June 22, 1942.

The specification of the U.S. flag was adopted in 1923 at the National Flag Conference. The phrase "under God" was added in 1954 by Congress. Upon that occasion, President Dwight D. Eisenhower said:

"In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war."

To date there have been four official versions of The Pledge of Allegiance.

1892

I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

1892–1923

I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

1923–1954

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

1954–Present

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation, under God indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.