Happy 4th of July! Without them, we wouldn't be here...

It was on July 4, 1776, that the 13 colonies claimed their independence from England. It was an event to remember because it led to the formation of our country - the United States. It was in the Second Continental Congress after the American Revolutionary War had already began that George Washington signed the declaration of independence from Britain.

Each year my family and I attend the fourth of July parade in Redwood City to celebrate this special day - The Independence Day. We are thankful to the brave Founding Fathers for making our nation's independence a reality. George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and a few others will always be remembered as the key participants.

What was revolutionary about the American Revolution, and what was not?

The American Revolution happened from the years 1775 to 1783 to finally separate the United States from the dominion of the British Empire.

It was revolutionary because it marked a decisive political change, brought legitimacy to the idea of democracy and changed the colonies politically, socially, and economically.

There were several drawbacks from this revolution. It originated in an effort to preserve the existing liberties of the colonies and not to a new one, a new nation like it ended up happening; it didn’t end slavery nor gender inequality nor distribution of land; all rights and contracts regarding property remained unchanged.