| − | '''Independence''' is, literally, the freedom from dependence upon another person or body. It can be used to refer to a person living [[Self-sufficiency|self-sufficiently]], without the need for contributions from others, specifically one's parents ("living independently"). | + | '''Independence''' is the freedom from control. Nationally, independence means freedom from [[colonialism]] and colonial governance by a sovereign power; put another way, it is self-determination. |
| − | Politically, the term has come to mean freedom from control, whether by another country or by a despotic government. The [[United States]] celebrates its independence from [[Great Britain]] annually on July 4th, the anniversary of the signing of the [[Declaration of Independence]] at [[Independence Hall]] in [[Philadelphia]].
| + | [[United States of America|America]] celebrates its independence from [[England]] on July 4 of every year, marking the set-off of the [[Revolutionary War|War for Independence]]. |