Article
Art by Paula Becker
Poetry,

Happy Birthday, U.S.A.

The United States of America turns 250 years old on July 4.

By By Kenn Nesbitt | Art by Paula Becker
From the May/June 2026 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will enjoy reading a poem about the Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday.

Complexity Factors
  • Levels of Meaning
    The poem explores activities people enjoy for the Fourth of July.
  • Structure
    This poem has three stanzas. It has an AABB rhyme scheme.
  • Language
    The language is simple.
  • Knowledge Demands
    No previous knowledge is required.
Featured Skill: Elements of Poetry

Standards

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Happy Birthday, U.S.A.

Happy Birthday, U.S.A.

Time to party. Time to play.

Wave a sparkler. Wave a flag.

Blow some bubbles. Play some tag.


Drink a glass of lemonade.

March beside the big parade.

Bang a drum or play kazoo.

Have a backyard barbecue.


Eat a hot dog. Eat some pie.

Watch the fireworks in the sky.

Live it up this happy day.

Happy Birthday, U.S.A.

Reprinted by permission of Kenn Nesbitt. All Rights Reserved.

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