Independence Day

Long long ago, in a galaxy far far away...

LOL. Anyway, hundreds of years ago, 13 of the US states were ruled by the British Empire. The French were invading the Brits' forts in Canada and marched into America. So, the Brits defended their colonies and drove out the French. However, the forts were ruined and the soldiers needed new clothes and food. So, the Brits imposed a tax on all the Americans to pay for their protection. The Brits thought this was sensible because they were paying to save lives of Native Americans who didn't contribute to the money. Now, the Americans thought this was unfair. After all, why should they have to pay for the Brits to protect their own territory? They took on the responsibility when they conquered it, so why shouldn't they  pay for its upkeep? So some Americans refused to pay the tax and sunk a tea ship in Boston. We Brits love our tea so we got very upset indeed and after a long conflict during which the French teamed up with the Americans as they wanted to get revenge on the Brits, they were pushed out and realised that unless they brought the full force of the Empire in (which was practically impossible) they could not win. So on 4th July 1776 the Americans made their famous Declaration of Independence and became the United States of America, one of the most prosperous, democratic and happy countries in the world today and a wonderful place to visit.

Today is the official 237th 'birthday' of that country, so I hope all the Americans here enjoy the cakes and fireworks (or whatever you do to celebrate) and have a lot of fun.

Ccpenguin

Ccpenguin8 wrote:Long long ago, in a galaxy far far away...

LOL. Anyway, hundreds of years ago, 13 of the US states were ruled by the British Empire. The French were invading the Brits' forts in Canada and marched into America. So, the Brits defended their colonies and drove out the French. However, the forts were ruined and the soldiers needed new clothes and food. So, the Brits imposed a tax on all the Americans to pay for their protection. The Brits thought this was sensible because they were paying to save lives of Native Americans who didn't contribute to the money. Now, the Americans thought this was unfair. After all, why should they have to pay for the Brits to protect their own territory? They took on the responsibility when they conquered it, so why shouldn't they  pay for its upkeep? So some Americans refused to pay the tax and sunk a tea ship in Boston. We Brits love our tea so we got very upset indeed and after a long conflict during which the French teamed up with the Americans as they wanted to get revenge on the Brits, they were pushed out and realised that unless they brought the full force of the Empire in (which was practically impossible) they could not win. So on 4th July 1776 the Americans made their famous Declaration of Independence and became the United States of America, one of the most prosperous, democratic and happy countries in the world today and a wonderful place to visit.

Today is the official 237th 'birthday' of that country, so I hope all the Americans here enjoy the cakes and fireworks (or whatever you do to celebrate) and have a lot of fun.

Ccpenguin

It was the 13 colonies.
 The British taxed the Americans since there was so high costs of the French and Indian War. 
Also, the war continued until the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, and the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. After major setbacks, most Brits didn't want to lose any more territory to the Americans, but the King did not stop until Yorktown.

Anyway, thanks!

I stayed up really late watching the fireworks in NYC on the TV. And thanks, Cc!

Ringo604/Thewotter604 wrote:I stayed up really late watching the fireworks in NYC on the TV. And thanks, Cc!

 You're welcome! I'm glad you had fun.