Mark was born on the third of July. He grew up believing his birthday had no meaning other than the day he was born. At the end of the school year in the fifth grade, his strict but fair teacher, Mr. Herzog, tells Mark about a great battle that happened on his birthday. His teacher called it, "The defining moment in American history."

Mark celebrates his eleventh birthday followed by America's independence in none other than Independence, Missouri. Although it is the best birthday and Fourth of July of his life, Mark realizes the true meaning of war, the sadness.

Born on the third of July is about a kid struggling with not only his own identity, but also the identity of America.