Student Article
Amazing Ants: Supercolonies, Survival Tricks, and Spirals of Doom
Queen (noun): The main female ant who lays all the eggs.
Colony (noun): A group of animals of the same kind living together.
Raft (noun): A floating platform, made by ants using their own bodies.
Spiral (noun): A shape that curls around and around like a circle.
Approved by Congress on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence declared that the 13 American colonies would no longer be part of the British Empire. The document announced a complete break from British rule, stating that the colonies were “absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown.” These colonies included places like Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York.
The struggle with British rule
The path to independence began over a decade earlier. Britain imposed heavy taxes on the colonies to pay for its wars with France, angering colonists who had no voice in British Parliament. The tension exploded in 1773 with the Boston Tea Party, when American rebels destroyed a shipment of tea in protest of the Tea Act. Britain responded with harsh laws that ended local self-government in Massachusetts and closed the port of Boston. Armed conflict erupted in 1775, pushing the colonies closer to declaring independence.
Independence from Britain
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee proposed the idea of cutting ties with Britain. A committee of five — Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston — was tasked with writing the declaration. Jefferson took the lead.
The Declaration’s message and complaints against King George III
The document famously states that “all men are created equal,” and lists 27 grievances against King George III. These include taxation without representation, abolishing local governments, and blocking free trade. Yet, the Declaration fell short of universal freedom. It described Native Americans as “merciless Indian Savages” and made no move to end slavery. In fact, Jefferson’s anti-slavery passage was deleted to win support from Southern delegates.
Not everyone agreed
Although Congress approved the final version on July 4, it wasn’t signed until August 2. Some delegates who voted for independence never signed it, like Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson, upset by the edits, made copies of the original draft and sent them to friends. Only two survive today.
The first Independence Day
The first Independence Day was celebrated in 1777 with 13 gunshots — one for each colony. That tradition continues, making July 4 one of the most important holidays in the U.S.
© Richard Jones / Our Media
Queen (noun): The main female ant who lays all the eggs.
Colony (noun): A group of animals of the same kind living together.
Raft (noun): A floating platform, made by ants using their own bodies.
Spiral (noun): A shape that curls around and around like a circle.