Hi, my name is Thomas Jefferson. I was quite a famous character in American history. I was one of the Founding Fathers. There were actually 5 of us: Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, John Adams, Roger Sherman and me. To cut the story short, there were 13 colonies. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Penssylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

The American colonists didn't like the control of Great Britain and King George III. In 1775, all 13 colonies started a war. After a year, representatives of all 13 colonies met at a congress in Pennsylvania. We wanted to have our own government. We simply wanted to be free. The 5 of us worked on the document. It was called the Declaration of Independence. July 4th, 1776, became the date when the United States of America was born. The words that we wrote in 1776 that all people are created equal and have rights that include life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness became iconic. Let me show you some other symbols of America and what we believe in. 

Did you know that the first American flag had 13 stars in a circle and 13 red and white stripes? The 7 red and 6 white stripes represented the colonies which fought for independence. Today, there are 50 stars on the American flag, one for each of the 50 states. The American flag is a symbol of freedom, liberty, and human rights. 

Another important symbol of freedom is the Statue of Liberty. It was given to the U.S. by France in 1886. You can find it on Liberty Island in New York. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and justice. The torch in the hand of the statue is a symbol of light showing the way to freedom, inspiration, and hope. 

The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is another important symbol of American independence. Do not forget that the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia. You will find an iconic message on the Bell: “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof.” You can find it in the Liberty Bell Center in the Independence National Historical Park.

And the last important American symbol is the Bald Eagle. You can find it on the national emblem and it symbolises the strength and freedom of America. I don’t want to brag, but the Founding Fathers chose it as the emblem of the nation. We chose it because of its beauty and great independence. I do not regret this choice. Today, you can find it on American official documents, dollars, flags, and logos of military and government agencies. 

I hope that you enjoy the freedom you have today. Just remember that freedom is not given forever. You must take care of it!