United States Celebrates 232nd Anniversary of Independence   

A display of fireworks illuminates the sky near the statue of Leberty as seen from Jersey City, N.J. on July, 2004. (© AP Images)

Americans celebrate July 4th as their national Independence Day.  It is the day when the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776.

Although the Declaration of Independence paved the way for the formation of the United States, it took several more years until the U.S. Constitution was adopted. It was not until the 20th century that all Americans were eligible to enjoy “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as full citizens with all the same rights and privileges.

How much do you know about the 4th of July, the American flag, or how the U.S. government operates?

Would you like to test your knowledge by taking a quiz, or read the Bill of Rights?

Get a feel of America!

For information, visit the following links…

Resources:

The Fourth of July
http://usinfo.state.gov/infousa/life/symbceleb/fourth_july.html

Facts about the Flag
http://usinfo.state.gov/infousa/life/symbceleb/usflag.html

EJournal USA: American Icons
http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/0606/ijse/icons.htm

The Pledge of Allegiance
http://usinfo.state.gov/infousa/life/symbceleb/pledge.html

Making Sense of the Fourth of July
http://usinfo.state.gov/infousa/life/symbceleb/makingsense_fourth.html
An article by Pauline Maier explaining the Fourth of July.

How the Federalist Papers Persuaded a Nation
http://www.america.gov/st/usg-english/2008/January/20071116185612xjsnommis3.854007e-02.html?CP.rss=true

Visit the National Archives website and get a glimpse at those historic documents which founded the United States!
http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/charters.html

EJournal USA: Snapshot USA
http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itsv/0606/ijse/ijse0606.htm

Quiz on the American Government
http://usinfo.state.gov/infousa/quizzes/government/quiz_q1.html