250 Years Declaration of Independence: How the US celebrated its 250th anniversary

Den USA steht in diesem Jahr ein großes Jubiläum ins Haus: 250 Jahre Unabhängigkeitserklärung. Anlässlich dieses bedeutsamen Jahrestags gibt es in der Read On jeden Monat einen Artikel, der die Geschehnisse, die zur Gründung der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika führten, genauer beleuchtet. In der aktuellen Ausgabe der Read On reisen wir allerdings nicht weit zurück in die Vergangenheit, sondern lassen die Feierlichkeiten zum 250. Jahrestag des Unabhängigkeitstags Revue passieren.

How the US celebrated its 250th anniversary

Millions of Americans celebrated their country’s 250th birthday despite a heatwave, storms, and political differences.

By Franziska Lange

1                 This year, Independence Day was a very special event for the US. On July 4, the country celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, its founding document. In other words, the US threw a big party for its 250th birthday.

2                 On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. This meant that the North American colonies decided to become free from Britain. It was a milestone in the country’s history.

3                 The 250th anniversary of Independence Day is also seen as a milestone, and states and cities across the US prepared for the event for years. Millions of Americans celebrated with festivals, parades, marching bands, historical re-enactments, barbecues, and fireworks. Official celebrations during Independence Week included a state fair, concerts, fighter jet flypasts, the opening of a presidential library, and, of course, more fireworks.

4                 In Charlottesville, Virginia, hundreds came together at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home. An actor dressed as Jefferson spoke about writing the Declaration of Independence. The main event at Monticello was a ceremony for 75 immigrants from all around the world who became US citizens.

5                 In Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, bells rang at noon to mark the moment when the Continental Congress adopted the document in 1776. Also in Philadelphia, a time capsule with objects from all 50 states and six territories of the US was buried. The capsule will be opened in another 250 years to give people of the future a glimpse into the America of the past.

6                 Not everything went as planned, however. A heatwave brought temperatures of up to 40 °C to most of the eastern and central US.

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Vocabulary

0–2             Independence Day Unabhängigkeitstag — Declaration of Independence Unabhängigkeitserklärung — founding document Gründungsdokument — Continental Congress Kontinentalkongress — to adopt s.th. etw. verabschieden

3                 marching band Marschkapelle — historical re-enactment Nachstellung eines historischen Ereignisses — state fair h.: Messe, auf der sich alle US-Bundesstaaten präsentieren — fighter jet flypast Luftparade mit Kampfjets — presidential library Präsidentenbibliothek (zur Dokumentation der Amtszeit eines ehemaligen US-Präsidenten)

4–6             citizen Staatsbürger(in) — to mark s.th. etw. feiern; an etw. erinnern — time capsule Zeitkapsel — territory (der US-Regierungsgewalt unterstehendes) Territorium — to bury s.th. etw. vergraben — to give s.o. a glimpse into s.th. jdm. einen Einblick in etw. geben

Bild: Getty Images