Tiffany Greene, Your Kids

July 4, 1776 was the day the United States declared itself independence.

Some Brevard County high school students are seeing history in a whole new light.

"Give me your John Hancock” is the colloquial phrase people used to ask for a signature. But the reason they use John Hancock's name is because his name is the most recognizable on the Declaration of Independence.

It was in the summer of July 1776 that the United States declared itself free and independent of Great Britain. You're probably thinking why the history lesson, well it's the same story thousands of Brevard County students are hearing in class and in the theatre.

"Coming here adds an extra layer of depth to understanding because it's not just in the history textbook, it's not just in the American Literature book, it's actually happening in from of them," said Lisa Rehm, from Brevard County Public Schools.

This is the second year of the Brevard Public Schools program that incorporates the arts into everyday learning.

The Cocoa Village Playhouse is putting on four performances at the King Center for the Arts. More than 4,800 students from 15 area schools are being introduced to the 1776 play.

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