• American Independence Day is American Independence Day is July 4July 4thth..

• It is a special day to celebrate It is a special day to celebrate the birth of our country.the birth of our country.

• The 13 American colonies The 13 American colonies used to belong to Great used to belong to Great Britain.Britain.

• Great Britain is in Europe.Great Britain is in Europe.

• The American colonies were located on the east coast along the Atlantic Ocean.

• People who lived in the colonies People who lived in the colonies were called colonists.were called colonists.

• The colonists had to pay taxes The colonists had to pay taxes to the King of Great Britain.to the King of Great Britain.

• The King of Great Britain made The King of Great Britain made the colonists pay taxes, but he the colonists pay taxes, but he didn’t let them vote.didn’t let them vote.

• The colonists were angry The colonists were angry because they had to pay taxes because they had to pay taxes but they couldn’t vote.but they couldn’t vote.

• The colonists formed an army and The colonists formed an army and went to war with Great Britain.went to war with Great Britain.

• This war is called the American This war is called the American Revolutionary War.Revolutionary War.

• It lasted from 1775-1783.It lasted from 1775-1783.

• France, Spain, Canada and the France, Spain, Canada and the Netherlands helped the American Netherlands helped the American colonists fight the war.colonists fight the war.

• The war ended in 1778 when the The war ended in 1778 when the Treaty of ParisTreaty of Paris was signed. was signed.

• The The Treaty of ParisTreaty of Paris recognized the recognized the new nation--new nation--The United States of The United States of America.America.

• We celebrate the Fourth of July We celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks to honor our with fireworks to honor our independence.independence.

• Have a safe and happy Fourth of Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!July!

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