U.S. Citizenship and English Practice

Prepare for the U.S. Naturalization Interview with reading, writing, civics questions, and N-400 personal information practice.

Independence

Posted on Author teacherericPosted in Civics and Reading A
Saturday Evening Post Cover (5 Jul 1924)
What holiday do you think this picture is celebrating?

Every country has a special day to celebrate that country. Sometimes it is the country’s birthday. Sometimes it is for a revolution.

In the United States, we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. It is a holiday to celebrate U.S. independence. Some people call it “the country’s birthday.”

When do we celebrate Independence Day?* –> July 4th (July fourth)

What is Independence Day? (128) –> The country’s birthday / A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence

Men debate in the first continental congress, 1774
Allyn Cox Mural in oil on Canvas 1973-1974 Great Experiment Hall Cox Corridors

British Colonists came to America for freedom. But, the colonies were still part of the British Government.

The British Government and the King of England chose the leaders of the colonies. Many colonists wanted to choose their own leaders.

The British Government and the King of England made taxes higher and higher. More and more colonists were unhappy with the government.

More and more American colonists made a new government. Each colony had representatives in this congress. Soon, they made an army.

They started a revolution to make changes in North America. They fought the British because of high taxes and because they wanted to choose their own leaders.

Why did the colonists fight the British? –> High taxes

Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain. –> High taxes

The British did not want to make changes to the 13 colonies. The British military and government fought back.

More and more colonists wanted to make a new country. They wanted to be free from Great Britain and the king of England.

The signing of the Declaration of Independence – Public Domain – Painting by John Trumbull

So, they wrote the Declaration of Independence. It said that the United States is free from British control. It says that all people are created equal, and that kings do not have the right to control people.

What did the Declaration of Independence do? (100) –> It said the United States is free

What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain? –> Declaration of Independence

Why is the Declaration of Independence important? –> It says that the United States is free from British control / It says all people are created equal

Can you see the date?

The Declaration of Independence is a break-up letter with the British government and King of England. It has a list of all the problems with the British government.

It says that all people have the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The American colonists said that the British did not give them life or liberty.

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? (100) –> Life and Liberty

The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document? (128) –> The Declaration of Independence

Many American colonists talked about the ideas in the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Jefferson was one of the founding fathers of America. This means he was one of the men who helped start the United States. Later, Jefferson became the third president of the United States.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? (100 and 128) –> Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one. –> Writer of the Declaration of Independence

The new American congress had a vote to agree with the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776.

Be careful: was adopted = in the past, in history, in 1776.

(100 + 128) When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? –> July 4th, 1776

Civics Review

  1. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
  2. Why did the colonists fight the British?
  3. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
  4. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
  5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
  6. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

128 questions:

  1. What is Independence Day?
  2. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
  3. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
  4. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
  5. The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
  6. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
  7. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
  8. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?