Independence Day: Birthday of the United States

"Independence Day: Birthday of the United States" begins with the simple premise that just as everybody has a birthday so does our country. For the United States that day is July 4, 1776 because that is the day the leaders of the Second Continental Congress agreed on the exact wording of the Declaration of Independence. However, as Elaine Landau points out, the first celebration of Independence Day was really on July 8, 1776, because it took several days for news and copies of the Declaration to reach all thirteen colonies.Landau provides a chapter explaining the history of Independence Day, working in the icons such as the Liberty Bell, but most of the book is devoted to festivities associated with the day, such as fireworks, parades, and food. A chapter is also devoted to the two biggest Independence Days, the centennial in 1876 with the International Exposition in Philadelphia and the bicentennial in 1976. The final chapter looks at the many way Americans celebrate the 4th of July, from all day block parties to eight foot cherry pies, and the back of the book includes a couple of Independence Day Projects for Glitter Sparklers and a Celebration Ice-Cream Sundae."Independence Day" is illustrated with both historic artwork, such as a version of Trumbull's painting of the committee presenting the Declaration to the Continental Congress and postcards from the 1800s celebrating the 4th of July, along with photographs such as several of the bicentennial being celebrated in New York City and the "Photo of the Century," which shows one hundred Americans of all different ages born in a different year from 1900 to 1999, including people from all fifty states. Young readers will learn a lot about the diverse ways Independence Day has been celebrated for over two hundred years. This volume is one of a series devoted to Finding Out About the Holidays which includes "Chinese New Year: A Time for Parades, Family, and Friends," "Christmas: Celebrating, Life, Giving, and Kindness," "Columbus Day: Celebrating a Famous Explorer," "Halloween: Costumes and Treats on All Hallows' Eve," and "Thanksgiving Day: A Time to be Thankful."