July 4th, 2015

July 4th, 2015
This past weekend, Americans celebrated the 239th anniversary of our country’s birth. Many people celebrated by having barbeques, going on lakes, playing outdoor games, parading, and going to the beach with their family and friends. Some Americans in the military were protecting our country. The most memorable event for kids, however, was probably the firework displays that most cities or towns put on at night.

The beginning of the United States of America began with a war. America fought Great Britain.  Unfortunately, America still has countries that are testing our military. On July 4th, 2015, four Russian bombers flew close to American air space, and in response American fighter pilots intercepted them. Off the coasts of Alaska and California, two Russian bombers flew towards American territory in a threatening manner. The American pilots then flew their planes close to the Russians, and the Americans ordered the Russians to turn around. The Russian pilots did turn back.

July 4th, 1776
On July 4, 1776, the American founding fathers approved the Declaration of Independence, a document that stated that Americans were no longer going to be colonists of Great Britain Some historians say this was the beginning of the American Revolution. Much against the world’s expectation, the Americans won. 

Independence Hall (The Pennsylvania State House) 
The Declaration of Independence was signed in the Pennsylvania State House, later to be called Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. This hall previously housed the three branches of Pennsylvania’s colonial government. The American founding fathers rented the Assembly room to discuss the coming war with Great Britain and to sign the Declaration of Independence. Twenty-one years later, they wrote and signed the U.S. Constitution in the exact same room!

Questions
1.      How many years has the United States of America had its independence?
2.      Which country, on July 4th, 2015, sent bombers close to the U.S.A.?
3.      From which country did the U.S.A. win independence?
4.      What do we call the building where the Declaration of Independence was signed?
5.      What two important American documents were signed in the same room?