Asahikawa American English Conversation School
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The Fourth of July
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In 1776, during a session of the Continental Congress on June 7th, the representative from the colony of Virginia, Richard Henry Lee, made a motion that "these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states." This resolution was adopted on July 2nd and the Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4th. Thus, a new sovereign nation, the United States of America was officially born on that day.
Nowadays, Americans honor Independence Day as a National Holiday. Government offices, banks, the Postal Service and many private businesses are closed on the fourth of July. Also, it is not uncommon for people to display the Stars and Stripes in front of their homes on this day. Being a day of rest, most people have parties to celebrate the occasion. Typical party activities include barbecues, softball games and fireworks displays. The biggest fireworks displays are usually sponsored by some type of city organization and may cost more than several hundred thousand dollars. Small-scale fireworks are also on sale at fireworks stands in and around the towns and cities in almost every state. These fireworks, which are for individual use, can be purchased by almost anyone and most of them are relatively safe.
There are also more dangerous fireworks such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles. These types of fireworks are illegal in most states, except on the Indian Reservations. Hundreds of people are injured each and every year by the improper use of both legal and illegal small-scale fireworks, despite warnings from government and private consumer safety organizations.
Another problem that arises on this holiday is drunken driving. At the many outdoor barbecues and softball games that are taking place all over the nation, there is usually plenty of beer and other alcoholic beverages available. Since the weather in most places is often very hot at this time of the year, it is easy to drink too much and become intoxicated. This usually isn't much of a problem until the intoxicated person gets behind the wheel of a car and tries to drive home. Many traffic accidents that cause injuries and fatalities are directly attributable to persons who are Driving While Intoxicated.
Despite these problems, the Fourth of July is, for the most part, an exciting and enjoyable holiday for the vast majority of Americans, even though most people seem to forget the original meaning behind the celebration.
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