Colonial Americans issued a battle cry of taxes without representation well before 1776. Residents were dissatisfied with heavy taxes and felt less and less dependent their mother country, England. The movement led the 2nd Continental Congress into drafting a document leading to independence. On July 8th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first read in Philadelphia's Independence Square. One year later Philadelphia celebrated Independence Day with bells, bonfires and fireworks.
Today, Americans celebrate 230 years of independence. Parades, picnics and fireworks displays are traditional July 4th festivities. Visitors may also come to Philadelphia's Independence Hall, pictured here, to recapture a sense of the spirit of the independence movement from the area's buildings, displays and the Liberty Bell. The hall's bell tower was complete in 1753. Words from Leviticus were cast into the bell, stating: Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.