Fourth of July Is Independence Day

The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a federal holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Find facts about the history of the holiday, information on fireworks safety, laws and celebrations:

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence-Day.shtml

Talk about the 4th of July to kids :

July 4 is the day Americans traditionally celebrate as Independence Day, the day the United States declared themselves independent from England in 1776. These sites give you a good overview of how and why Americans celebrate.

American Independence Day
This three-part article, well illustrated as always, focuses on the need for independence as well as the struggle to keep that independence. The last installment looks at the legacy of independence elsewhere in the world.
Fourth of July for the Whole Family
The focus is on family at this great site. Find fun things to do with your family!
Independence Day Crafts
Find lots of fun ways to mark the holiday in style. You can make 3D fireworks, a giant American flag, and much more!
Fourth of July Word Search
Print this fun puzzle out and find all kinds of exciting words, all related to the 4th of July!
Fourth of July Crossword Puzzle
Test your knowledge of American history and Independence Day with this fun crossword! Just print it out and sharpen your pencil!
Independence Day on the Net
Don't miss these exciting ideas for making your holiday celebration even more fun.
The Declaration of Independence
Read exactly what the Founding Fathers wrote all those years ago.
Fourth of July Greeting Cards
Send electronic greetings to everyone you know! Celebrate the holiday in Internet style!

from:http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/4thofjuly.htm

WATCH THE VIDEO (part 1/2) :
The First Fourth of July"
Synopsis:
James and Sarah meet Thomas Jefferson and witness the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

MORE VIDEOS ABOUT THE 4TH OF JULY:

-------http://www.manythings.org/b/e/2568/

----------http://www.eslvideo.com/esl_video_quiz_intermediate.php?id=8461

4th of July fun facts, trivia and jokes for kids

The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and many parents will break out the red, white & blue and barbecues to commemorate our national day of independence. Why not get the kids involved this year, by springing a few trivia facts or jokes on them?
4th of July fun facts and trivia:

Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle.
Over an estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed today. That's roughly 1 dog for every two people in the U.S.
Oddly, the majority of the nation's flags and patriotic paraphernalia in relation to the 4th of July is produced in China. Nearly $349 million dollars are used each year to import in the flags, banners, decorations, and emblems.
The first 4th of July party held at the White House was in 1801.
The 4th of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941.
The national anthem is actually set to the tune of an old English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven.
John Hancock was the only person to actually sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The other 55 signers did not sign it until August 2nd or even later.
The youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence was 26-year-old Edward Rutledge. The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin. He was 70. Most of the signers were in their 30s and 40s.
When the United States became a country, there were approximately 2.5 million people living in the country. Today the population is around 304 million.
Bristol, Rhode Island has the oldest, continuous 4th of July celebration dating back to 1785.

The following events happened on July 4th:

Three U.S. presidents have died on July 4th. Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the singing of the Declaration of Independence. Five years later, James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was published on this date in 1865.
Calvin Coolidge is the only U.S. president born on the 4th of July. He was born in 1872.
Ann Landers and twin sister Abigail VanBuren, both advice columnists, were born on July 4, 1918.
Marie Curie, the only woman to win two Nobel Prizes and the only person to win two in two different science fields, died on July 4, 1934.

Funny 4th of July jokes to share with your kids (OK, I know they’re corny, but kids really do love them!):
Q: Did you hear the one about the Liberty Bell?
A: Yeah, it cracked me up.
Q: What’s red, white, blue and green?
A: A patriotic pickle
A. A seasick Uncle Sam
Q: Why did the British cross the Atlantic?A: To get to the other tide
Q: What happened as a result of the Stamp Act?A: The Americans licked the British
Q: What did one flag say to the other flag?A: Nothing, it just waved.
Q: Why did the duck say bang?A: Because he was a firequacker
Q: What’s the difference between a duck and George Washington?A: One has a bill on his face, and the other has his face on a bill
Q: What was George Washington’s favorite tree?A: The infantry
Q: Do they have a 4th of July in England?A: Of course they do. That’s how they get from the 3rd to the 5th.
Q: What protest by a group of dogs happened in 1773?A: The Boston Flea Party
Sources: yumsugar.com, helium.com

10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Fourth of July

Φωτογραφία: Science of Summer: How Do Fireworks Work? http://oak.ctx.ly/r/71p0

SOME MORE USEFUL SITES :
1. http://www.elcivics.com/esl_fourth_of_july.html

2. http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/06/04/the-best-websites-for-learning-about-the-fourth-of-july/

3. http://www.lrhartley.com/resources/july4.htm

ARTS AND CRAFTS :
1. http://edhelper.com/4th_of_July.htm

2. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/july4/

LISTENING /WRITING ACTIVITIES :
1. http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics7july/independence-day/4th-july-fireworks-video-quiz.html

2.http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/vocabulary/holidays_independenceday1.html

3. http://www.eslholidaylessons.com/07/independence_day.html

4.http://www.audio-lingua.eu/spip.php?article1018&lang=en

   A SLIDESHOW WITH FIREWORK DISPLAYS :

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/07/04/us/0704-FOURTH_6.html
The Complete Guide to July 4th Fireworks