In the 1700s, Great Britain had 13 colonies in North America.

The King of Great Britain made the colonists to keep his soldiers in their homes for free.

The King made the colonists pay high taxes.

The King did not let colonists make the laws.

The colonists said the King’s laws were not right.

The colonists wrote to the king. They asked to be allowed to vote for their leaders and make their laws.

The King said the colonists breaking the law.

The King sent more soldiers to the colonies.

The colonists decided to leave Great Britain and start a new country.

In 1775, representatives from all 13 colonies met for the Second Continental Congress.

The representatives wrote a letter to the King and declared independence.

Thomas Jefferson was a very good writer. He and four other men wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Today, we say that Thomas Jefferson is the author of the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence said people had 3 rights.

On July 4, 1776, representatives from all 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence.

Americans celebrate July 4 as Independence Day—the birthday of America!

Independence Day is a national holiday in the United States!