Independence, the British child born in America is now a teenager and she wants her Independence.  It sounds like a good idea for sure.  We have all been through that phase in our lives.  We don’t need mom and dad telling us what to do anymore.

And so it was for the 13 Colonies.  Sure there was the taxation without representation thing and the whole Boston tea party; but that was just an excuse.  The Colonies were growing up and they were ready to go out on their own.  They didn’t need supervision anymore, especially when dad (King George) was never really around anyway.  And they had some “friends” (France) who were egging them on.  Of course France knew if they could get the Colonies to break away from Britain, the British would be weakened.  So yes, France was pushing for Revolution.

It all came to a boiling point, the 13 siblings knew they would have to act together.  At the Second Continental Congress held in the building above, the 13 became one and declared their Independence.  After much discussion and brotherly infighting, Thomas Jefferson was asked to write it all down.

The Declaration of Independence was written; now what?  We walked out the front door of the only home we’ve ever known.  We closed the door behind us, took a deep breath and walked away.  What have we done?  Fear, regret, anxiousness, uncertainty way heavily on us.  The teenager who wanted for so long to have a voice in the home, who felt unappreciated and overlooked is out on her own.

The struggle was real.  Dad wanted her to come home and sent men to fetch her.  She fought for many years.  She was helped by friends.  She declared her Independence on July 4th 1776.  She finally gained her Independence on September 3rd 1783.  She adopted her own rules for living in 1787.

She is America