1. Independence Day The 4 th of July

2. Congress approved the Declaration of Independence July 4 th 1776

3. The original 13 colonies on the East Coast belonged to England England France Spain (Including California)

4. “Boston Tea Party” 1773 We didn’t want to pay taxes to the King and have no rights, so we threw their tea into the sea!

5. Thomas Jefferson wrote a declaration of independence June 1776 Benjamin Franklin John AdamsThomas Jefferson

6. It basically said: We want to explain why we’re leaving you. We think that all people are created equal (no king is above the common people) We think you abuse us, use us and oppress us. You don’t listen to us. You are a tyrant. We want to be free and independent.

7. War 1775-1783 We fought against them. We didn’t follow the rules but attacked in every way. We finally won. George Washington was the Army General.

8. George Washington became the first President in 1789

9. July 4 th 1776 was Not the start or end of the war 1775 Not when we got independence 1783 It was the day the congress agreed that we were for sure going to become independent no matter what we had to do.

10. This only applied to 13 colonies

11. At that time, California was still a colony of Spain In 1542 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to find California

12. He found Point Reyes but didn’t see San Francisco probably because of the fog!

13. In 1769 California was a colony of Spain. Spanish priests built missions and towns. (They were often not kind to the native peoples.)

14. Mexico got independence in 1821, and California became part of Mexico

15. Our state flag comes from the 4 days we were independent in 1846. We were the California Republic!

16. In 1849 – GOLD!!! The men who came were called the Forty-Niners. That’s why the football team is the 49ers!

17. 1850 California became the 31st State of the United States

18. We like to see parades and fireworks on the 4 th of July Parades Alameda Fremont Fireworks Berkeley Marina Benicia Concord Pleasanton (Alameda County Fair) Oakland Coliseum Fireworks after the A’s game July 3rd

19. Happy 4 th of July!