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Weekly Online LessonOnline Lesson ArchiveGrade Level: 4-8
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Celebrating Independence
On the eve of America's 225th observance and celebration of Independence Day, the Yugoslav Federation is experiencing a constitutional crisis not unlike signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. After years of separation from outside influences, and having endured U.N. sanctions, Serbia and Montenegro are all but bankrupt, and relations between the two republics have been strained over the decision by Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djinkjic to hand over Slobodan Milosevic to a U.N. war crimes tribunal. Officials from the two republics have already discussed the prospect of a "peaceful separation."
This week's online lesson isn't about the unfolding crisis in the Yugoslav Republic, but rather the story of America's independence and the place where it all started: Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Independence National Historic Park
Independence
Hall is just one of many buildings that make up what is now Independence
National Historic Park in downtown Philadelphia, and is now a national
park and world heritage site. At the National
Park Service site you can get basic information about all of the
buildings in the park. Read the introduction here, and then click Visiting.
You can learn about any of them, but click Independence Hall now to learn
specifically about this place, where in the Assembly Room the Declaration
of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Now click the link for information
on the Preservation
of Independence Hall to learn about the history of restoring and
preserving this place for all generations of Americans.
ushistory.org
A
great site for learning the detailed history of Philadelphia sites is
ushistory.org,
created and hosted by the Independence Hall Association. There's a lot
here — explore all you want — but why not start with a tour of America's
Most Historic Mile? On this virtual tour you will visit more than
65 historic sites, all within one mile of Philadelphia's city center.
You can either click Next Stop to go from site to site, or choose
from the index on the main page. If you don't have time to visit all of
them, click the ones with (INHP) next to them.
When you're done with the tour, return to the main page and click Declaration of Independence. Here you'll find a wealth of information about the signers of the Declaration, the history of the Declaration, and an online version of the Declaration for you to read. What were the occupations of some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence?
Don't leave the site without checking out the history of the Liberty Bell. Why is the Liberty Bell significant? Who adopted the Bell as a symbol for their movement?
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