Randel McGee - Paper Crafts for the 4th of July

STARS! STRIPES! FIREWORKS!

Celebrate the 4th of July by displaying your own American flag pennant, stars and stripes paper chain, and Uncle Sam paper doll! Wear your own homemade liberty crown or patriotic spectacles to honor the United States' Independence Day! Join storyteller Randel McGee as he explores the history and symbols of this special holiday in Paper Crafts for the 4th of July!

"Help honor America and our history by taking part in celebrating the nation's birthday, the 4th of July. Complete one of these interesting and creative crafts and show your patriotism."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Randel McGee is a storyteller, puppeteer, ventriloquist, and paper-cutting artist. He performs all over the world, sharing his paper-cutting stories with children and adults.

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in early July 1776, a group of men from each of the thirteen American colonies gathered to discuss a problem. The group was called the Second Continental Congress, and they wanted to solve the colonies' problems with the British government, which controlled the colonies from far away in London, England. The king of England, George III, would not let the colonists have much to say in making decisions for their own people. When the American colonists protested, King George III sent British armies to America to force them to obey him. The colonists became very upset with this harsh, unfair treatment from their king. The Congress decided to declare that the American colonies were a free country and no longer under British rule. It was a bold and dangerous move.

Thomas Jefferson, from Virginia, was a member of the Second Continental Congress. He was asked to write an official document that would announce the Congress's decision to King George III. It is called the Declaration of Independence. It contains the famous lines: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." These words have become famous around the world. At the end of the letter to the king, Jefferson wrote: "We, therefore... do solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States." (Punctuation and capitalizations are from the original document.)

With these words, the Continental Congress declared that the American colonies were no longer British colonies, but a new, independent country. The Revolutionary War followed as England tried to win back control, but the Americans and their allies overcame the British forces and secured their right to govern themselves.

The Declaration of Independence was first signed on July 4, 1776, so that day became known as Independence Day. Independence Day, often called the Fourth of July, was officially declared a national holiday by the Congress of the United States in 1870. It is considered the United States of Americas birthday, and so the day is like a big party. It is celebrated with parades, speeches, and special programs with a patriotic theme. Families often enjoy the day with outdoor activities, picnics, and barbecues. Fireworks displays sponsored by the community light up the night skies, and many families have their own small fireworks displays. Red, white, and blue and the stars and stripes of the American flag appear everywhere on decorations and clothes. Show your American spirit with the crafts in this book!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Many of the materials used in making these crafts may be found by using recycled paper products. The author uses such recycled items as cereal boxes and similar packaging for light cardboard, used manila folders for card stock paper, leftover pieces of wrapping paper, and so forth. This not only reduces the cost of the projects but is also a great way to reuse and recycle paper. Be sure to ask an adult for permission before using any recycled paper products.

The projects in this book were created for this particular holiday. However, I invite readers to be imaginative and find new ways to use the ideas in this book to create different projects of their own. Please feel free to share pictures of your work with me through www.mcgeeproductions.com . Happy Crafting!

Since 1776, the United States of America has had a flag with a blue field decorated with white stars representing the states. The rest of the flag has alternating red and white stripes. A pennant is a long, slender flag, usually triangle-shaped, that is used for signaling others and for decoration. Make one or several as decorations for your Fourth of July celebration.

1. Fold the blue tissue paper or plastic table cover in half.

2. Use tracing paper and a pencil to trace the triangle pattern from onto the blue tissue paper or plastic table cover. Put the short side of the pattern on the fold. Cut out a triangle.

3. Transfer the star pattern to the white computer paper. Make two stars.

4. Cut the crepe paper streamers into 6-inch lengths. Make three red and two white.

5. Open up the triangle and tape or glue the paper streamers to one of the pointed ends. Alternate the colors: red, white, red, white, red. Let dry.

6. Tape a piece of yarn or string to the inside of the pennant along the short, flat side. Glue the pennant closed. Let dry.

7. Glue a white paper star on both sides of the pennant. Let dry.

8. Have an adult help you hang it as a decoration. You may want to put many pennants on a long string and hang them.

Fireworks were first developed by the Chinese. They used small, bright explosives to celebrate special times and to symbolically drive away evil spirits. Today, fireworks are used around the world for special holidays and at happy events, such as Independence Day. This paper firework fountain looks like those you may see in your neighborhood.