By Katherine Waters

Sun Staff Intern

NORWICH – Today is a clear indication that summer has truly arrived and it is a time for everyone to stop and celebrate the United States’ 232nd birthday.

Wednesday, Ashley Franklin’s four-year-old class at The Children’s Center spent the morning baking cupcakes and the afternoon singing happy birthday to the country they call home. Many of the children are excited to celebrate the 4th of July in ways that date back to the 1800s.

Fireworks, parades, speeches, music and food are all staple ingredients in celebrating Independence Day for many citizens of the United States. July 4, 1776 was the day in which the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence and split from King George of England.

Little has changed through the years in the way Americans celebrate Independence Day, but it stands as a reminder of all the rights we have fought for and all the rights for which we will continue to fight.

Teachers like Franklin use the holiday to teach their children the importance of American values and history. “We’ve been reading books about America,” she said. While the children learn a little about history, there is nothing stopping them from showing off red, white and blue bracelets and necklaces they created themselves. The children also used their creativity this week to paint fireworks and piece together flags for the celebration today.