Independence
U.S. Naturalization Test (2025 Standard) glossary · Civics
Definition
Freedom from control by another country.
Independence in plain English
Independence means being free to govern yourself instead of being controlled by another country. For the U.S., this is the founding idea: the American colonies were once ruled by Britain, and in 1776 they declared independence to make their own laws and decisions. Picture finally moving out on your own — you set your own rules instead of living under someone else's roof. That's why the Fourth of July, Independence Day, is such a big deal in American history.
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