American Independence Day on July 4th commemorates the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation. Originally 13 British colonies located along the eastern coast of North America, the colonists declared independence after becoming unhappy that they had to pay taxes to the British king but were not allowed representation in government. This led to the American Revolutionary War from 1775-1783, when the colonists, with help from France, Spain, Canada and the Netherlands, defeated Britain, resulting in international recognition of the new United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris.

2. • American Independence Day is
July 4th.
• It is a special day to celebrate
the birth of our country.

3. • The 13 American colonies
used to belong to Great
Britain.
• Great Britain is in Europe.

4. • The American
colonies were
located on the
east coast along
the Atlantic
Ocean.

5. • People who lived in the colonies
were called colonists.
• The colonists had to pay taxes
to the King of Great Britain.

6. • The King of Great Britain made
the colonists pay taxes, but he
didn’t let them vote.
• The colonists were angry
because they had to pay taxes
but they couldn’t vote.

7. • The colonists formed an army and
went to war with Great Britain.
• This war is called the American
Revolutionary War.
• It lasted from 1775-1783.

8. • France, Spain, Canada and the
Netherlands helped the American
colonists fight the war.
• The war ended in 1778 when the
Treaty of Paris was signed.

9. • The Treaty of Paris recognized
the new nation--The United States
of America.

10. • We celebrate the Fourth of July
with fireworks to honor our
independence.
• Have a safe and happy Fourth of
July!

11. The End
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