Cartoons : Happy Independence Day America!!

Cartoon by Gary Varvel of The Indianapolis Star-News in Indiana

Cartoon by Henry Payne of The Detroit News in Michigan

settled (adj.)	decided
to proof (informal for ‘to proofread’)	to read something written or printed and mark any mistakes so that they can be corrected

Cartoon by John Cole of The Times in Scranton, Pennsylvania

 

forbidden	not allowed according to a rule, law or custom
the lawn	an area of grass that is cut short, especially in someone’s garden
the Pledge (The Pledge of Allegiance)	a short speech that U.S. citizens recite (=learn and say), in which they formally promise to be loyal to their country. Children say this every morning in most schools. When reciting the Pledge, you put your right hand over your heart, and look at the flag. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Featured Podcast : Celebrating Independence Day With Parades, Fireworks and Water Balloon Fights (from VOA Special English)

http://www1.voanews.com/learningenglish/home/american-life/people/Independence-Day-97620419.html

Or download MP3 (Right-click or option-click and save link)

DOUG JOHNSON: Welcome to American Mosaic in VOA Special English.

(MUSIC)

I’m Doug Johnson.

Today we tell about Independence Day in the United States. This Fourth of July will mark America’s two hundred and thirty-fourth birthday.

We also answer a listener question about a famous American general.

And we hear a poem about the American flag by country singer Johnny Cash.

(MUSIC)

Independence Day

DOUG JOHNSON: The Fourth of July marks the anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence from Britain. During the summer of seventeen seventy-six, American colonists were deeply divided. Almost one in three was loyal to Britain. Yet most were increasingly angry about what they considered unfair treatment by the British government. By June, fighting had already taken place between colonial forces and Britain. The idea of independence was spreading.

Delegates from the thirteen colonies gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Continental Congress decided that a document declaring separation from Britain should be declared. Thomas Jefferson led a committee chosen to write it.

**(TO READ MORE, CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE)**

Cartoon : Liberty Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cartoon by John Cole of the The Times in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is a famous 18th century American poet, philosopher and essayist who led the transcendentalist movement.

to avail	- to be of use or value to; profit; advantage
a plough (can also be spelled ‘plow’ in American English)	- a piece of farm equipment used for turning over the soil before putting seeds into it
a sail	- a large piece of strong cloth fixed to a tall pole on a boat, used for catching wind to move the boat across water
to fail	- to be unsuccessful when you try to do something

Humor Spot: The Star Spangled Banner from Jib Jab

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