2 of 2 results for "Independence Day"
Student Article
Why the United States of America Celebrates Independence Day on July Fourth

The article "Why the United States of America Celebrates Independence Day on July Fourth" from BBC's HistoryExtra explains the origins of America's Independence Day, which commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Dr. Tom Cutterham discusses the historical context of the American Revolutionary War, the contributions of key figures like Thomas Jefferson, and the significance of the day in shaping America's identity.

Video
Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence

In Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence, learn how the colonies made the case for independence from Britain during the Revolutionary War. A Committee of Five, including Thomas Jefferson, drafted the document, drawing on ideas from the Virginia Declaration of Rights and John Locke. The Declaration outlined reasons for independence, the philosophy behind it, the king’s offenses, and concluded with the resolution for freedom. It was approved on July 4, 1776, and its original draft is now on permanent display in Washington, D.C.