Monday, July 4, 2011
On July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress—the federal legislature of the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States—adopts the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration proclaims to Great Britain the American Colonies’ intent to break away from the King’s rule and self-govern. It is adopted more than a year after the American Revolutionary War had already started. Great Britain initially rejects the proclamation and does not officially agree to the independence of the United States until signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The text of the first draft of the Declaration is written by Thomas Jefferson June 11- 28, 1776. After revisions by member of the Continental Congress, the final version of the Declaration of Independence is approved by vote on July 4th.
According to local officials in the Midwestern American states, 4th of July celebrations will not be dampened by the unprecedented flooding that has plagued parts of the region along the Missouri River. Record breaking floods, caused by snowmelt and recent rainfall, submerged more than 4,100 homes last week in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. People have taken shelter anywhere they can—in emergency centers, vehicles, tents and with friends or relatives. Nevertheless, the American patriotic spirit remains strong in the Midwest where fireworks displays are planned as usual as long as the ground is firm enough to handle them. Residents of Yankton, South Dakota, expect some 100,000 people to join 4th of July celebrations, just five miles down the road from Gavins Point Dam, where a record amounts of water is being released to try to control the rising tide.
