LESSON NOTES

Video Culture Class: American

Holidays #1
Fourth of July

CONTENTS
2 American English
3 Vocabulary
4 Sample Sentences

# 1
COPYRIGHT © 2013 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 AMERICAN ENGLISH

1. Hi everyone, I'm Alisha.

2. The Fourth of July is also known as Independence Day. It commemorates the signing of
The Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. Think of it as America's birthday!

3. When most people think about the fourth of July, they think about fireworks! But do you
know why Americans display fireworks on the 4th? We'll show you the answer at the end
of this video.

4. Americans kick up their heels on this holiday in many ways, but people mostly go to
picnics and barbecues. It's also a day to be patriotic, so you'll often see the American
flag and people dressed in red, white, and blue.

5. Parades are another common sight on the fourth of July, especially during the daytime.
Why do they take place during the day? Because as soon as it gets dark, Americans
gather to watch magnificent fireworks in the night sky.

6. Some families set off small fireworks in their driveways, and some gather in parks or by
the sea to see the larger, more professional firework displays.

7. The most outstanding firework displays take place in New York City and Washington,
D.C. Both of these displays are televised nationally and the president even attends the
display in Washington, D.C.

8. On the fourth of July, you'll hear the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

9. The words were written by Francis Scott Key, who was inspired to write the lyrics after
witnessing The Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.

10. And now here's the answer to the quiz .

11. Why do Americans shoot fireworks on the 4th?

CONT'D OVER

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12. The custom of shooting off fireworks on Independence Day can be traced back to a
quote by our second president, John Adams. He said that he believed that July 4th
should "be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells,
bonfires and illuminations."

13. How was this lesson? Did you learn something interesting? Are there any holidays when
fireworks are shot off in your country? Please leave a comment at EnglishClass101.com

14. Until next time!

VOCABULARY

V oc abular y English C lass

a federal holiday in the

United States
commemorating July 4,
The Fourth of July 1776, when the US became noun
independent from the
Kingdom of Great Britain

to do something to show
that you respect and
to commemorate remember an important verb
person or event in the past

an official important
declaration statement about a certain noun
plan or situation

freedom from the control,

independence influence, support, etc. of noun
others

to celebrate; commemorate
to kick up one's heels an event with festivities phrase

an outing where food is

picnic taken and eaten outdoors noun

enthusiastically devoted to
patriotic one's country adjective

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 a moving line of people and
displays called floats in
parade noun
celebration of a holiday or
other important event

making a splendid
appearance or show; an
magnificent object of exceptional beauty, adjective
siz e, etc.

a small combustible device

filled with powder that burns
fireworks or explodes and makes noun
colored lights and noise in
the sky

outstanding superior, excellent adjective

to televise to be broadcast on television verb

nationally across the entire country adjective

national anthem official song of a nation noun

given or charged with the

inspired spirit to do something adjective

to witness to see something happen verb

something done by people

custom in a certain society because noun
it is traditional

a phrase or sentence from a

quote book, speech, etc. noun

impressive decorations,
clothes, music, and so on
pomp that are traditional for an noun
important ceremony

a large open air fire used in

bonfire celebrations noun

SAMPLE SENTENCES

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An honest declaration of anything is very Fireworks shows are common on
important. Independence Day.

The excursion was a picnic by the lake. Being patriotic is about much more than
just wearing red, white, and blue.

A parade is a great time for children to see The Queen looked magnificent in her
floats and gather candy thrown by the robes and crown.
roadside.

Fireworks shows are common on Her exam results were outstanding.

Independence Day.

Their stories inspired us to work harder. He witnessed the scene firsthand.

Though the country moderniz ed quickly, They stood around the bonfire in order to
it retained many of its traditional keep warm.
customs.

We built a big bonfire to celebrate.

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