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FAQ, Trivia and Information on Life in America: Ask-A-Desi This section will attempt to address some of the Frequently Asked Questions on Life in the US, Canada and North America that immigrants, visitors and others from different cultures attempt to address. If you have any additional inputs or wish  to see more topics addressed, mail us at webmaster@GaramChai.com Enter your search terms Web www.garamchai.com Submit search form Independence day, 4th of July - Nation's Birthday What is the significance of Independence Day? Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the time of the signing, the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.  In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts, Paul Revere sounded the alarm - "The British are coming, the British are coming...." as he rode his horse through the late night streets. The battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" marked the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence. The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war. GaramChai's Insurance Channel Buy Visitor's Travel Insurance Click for free online Quotes Trivia and Questions Introduction General Trivia Dollars and Cents Social Security Number About Mail and USPS Story of The Old Glory Green Card– Why Not Green? Telephone Area Codes Convex Mirrors and Caution Bankruptcy and Chapter 11 Radio and TV Broadcasting Consumerism: Trivia on Wal-Mart. Retail Trivia Gas Prices– What's 0.9 Cent? Roads and Interstate Highways Road Driving Trivia Finance 101 Daylight Saving Time Trivia on Etiquette The Government Government- How it Governs The US Constitution The Great Seal of US and Uncle Sam Capitol and Capital State Capitals Trivia Presidents- Facts n Trivia Independence Day 4th of July Sheriff and Police Patent, Trademark, Copyright... NRIs Tips for New Desi Grad Students!!! Tips for Elderly Parents and Single women traveling to the US Return-to-India? Tips and articles for those planning to return back from US to India Book on Life in the US Life in Canada ............................

	By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 ( Pennsylvania and South Carolina) voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained. To make it official, John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!." The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. That "Province Bell" was later renamed "Liberty Bell" after its inscription - "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof" And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. Congress declared the 4th July a federal holiday in 1941. And in today's commercial/capitalist World, it's one more opportunity for vacationing, to promote Sales, offer discounts and deals. Fortunately till now it's not yet been shifted to nearest Monday or Friday. Links of Interest: Wikipedia Independence Day (United States) Often imitated (or parodied), it is a familiar symbol of American patriotism. Independence Day, as the only holiday celebrating the United States as a whole Independence Day on the Net: - Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America. Founded July 4th 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independenc Independence Day (1996) - Movie. Popular movie by the same name. Plot: On July 2nd, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. It is soon learned by the military that a number of enormous objects are on a collision course with Earth. At first thought to be meteors, they are later revealed to be gigantic spacecraft, piloted by a mysterious alien species. After attempts to communicate with the aliens go nowhere, David Levinson, an ex-scientist turned cable technician, discovers that the aliens are going to attack major points around the globe in less than a day. On July 3rd, the aliens all but obliterate New York, Los Angeles, and Washington. The survivors set out in convoys towards Area 51, a strange government testing ground where it is rumored the military has a captured alien spacecraft of their own. The survivors devise a plan to fight back against the enslaving aliens, and July 4th becomes the day humanity will fight for its freedom. July 4th is their Independence Day. Happy Birthday, America! On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream. The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.
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