Independence Day is a U.S. holiday celebrated on July 4 every year. It (1)commemorates the signing of (2)the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which (3)granted the nation’s people freedom from British (4)rule and began the forming of what is now known as the United States of America. Before 1776, the North American continent was (5)colonized by countries such as Spain, Portugal, France and Great Britain. These European countries had invaded the “(6)New World” and (7)established control over the (8)indigenous people (Native Americans) whom it is believed had been living there for at least 20,000 years.

The Europeans ruled North America for about 250 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed, uniting 13 British colonies who (9)came together to become a union of free and independent states. The declaration stated that all (10)men[sic] were equal, with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So , for many Americans, the Fourth of July is a day to celebrate the right to personal and political freedom. These people celebrate it with huge firework displays, exciting parades through towns, neighborhood barbecues, and special events that (11) aim to (12) bring everybody together.

But for some Americans, Independence Day is a more (13) thoughtful day, and one to (14) reflect upon the (15)concepts of (16) equality and freedom, especially in the (17) context of American history. Despite the Declaration of Independence, it has taken many years of (18)struggle for women, black people and (19)homosexuals to achieve a degree of equality and freedom in the United States. (20) Similarly , it took hundreds of years for the Native Americans to (21)reclaim the freedom that was originally theirs (22)in the first place . Many minority groups continue to fight for such rights today.