US Independence Day July 4th - Happy Independence Day

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.

We invite all nations to celebrate with Americans online this Fourth of July.

Happy Birthday, America!

"The Star Spangled Banner"

---

The Defense of Fort McHenry
by Francis Scott Key
h, say can you se
20 September 1814

Oe, by the dawn's early light,
e twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright
What so proudly we hailed at t
h stars, through the perilous fight,
gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bomb
O'er the ramparts we watched, were s
os bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen 

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and th
ethrough the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
als, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the mor
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conc
ening's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave 
ar and the battle's confusion
A home and a country s
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.  And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of
whould leave us no more? Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave 
e and the home of the brave.
 
Oh! thus be it ever, wh
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the fr
een freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land 
God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever sh
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In
all wave  
nd of the free and the home of the brave!