Flag & declaration of indep.jpg — Happy Fourth of July: The Real Meaning of This Important Independence Day

By Simie Seaman

Celebrating the Fourth of July is one of the best parts about summer. This is one of the most awaited holidays in the United States of America; people from all religious and ethnic background come together to celebrate the birth anniversary of this great nation. July Fourth is the birthday of our nation. It is the birthday of the greatest nation on earth. Did you ever wonder why we celebrate the 4th of July the way we do? The 4th of July is celebrated differently all around the country. Fireworks are customary, accompanied with family outings, parades, baseball games, concerts, fairs, picnics, carnivals, and barbeques.

It was John Adams one of our founders. He was responsible for the deciding vote to declare our independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. He wrote to his wife Abigail, this is “the most memorable Epocha in the History of America.” “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding generations, as a great anniversary Festival…. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more”

For the first official Fourth of July in 1777, the citizen in Philadelphia sat and watch along the shores as warships fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the original 13 states. Fireworks got their name during the first official Fourth of July in 1777, before that they were called rockets. The Fireworks symbolize “the bombs bursting in air” That is a phrase from the Star Spangled Banner, which was written in 1814.

Somewhere in growing up I began to be aware of the meaning of the day, and with that awareness, came the birth of patriotism. When most people think about patriotism, they think of popping off fireworks while wearing their American flag T-shirts and enjoying a hot dog straight off the grill on the Fourth of July. To me, patriotism is embodied by one word, SERVICE. To serve, you must be devoted and have vigorous support for one’s country, in alliance with other citizens who share the same passion to serve.

Patriotic service can come in many forms, not just serving your country in the military. It can come in the form of serving your country or community through efforts to improve the lives of those around you. It takes a special person to put the pursuits of himself behind those of the rest of the population, to delay one’s life for the great good. Others patriots, who may not wear a uniform, devote their lives to keeping the home front safe. The efforts of either should not be placed above one another as they are both equally important to the proper functioning and safety of the country. Patriotism to me is supporting our country by being an active citizen fulfilling responsibilities, understanding the history of the United States of America, appreciating the things done for this country, and honoring our active soldiers and veterans who fight for our rights.

This Fourth of July marks the 245th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This occasion is a great opportunity to renew our dedication to the principles of liberty and equality enshrined in what Thomas Jefferson called "the declaratory charter of our rights."

In 1776, founding father and soon-to-be president, Thomas Jefferson wrote what is now the United States’ most famous and cherished document to give a list of grievances against King George III of England. It was written to justify the colonies breaking away from the mother country and becoming an independent nation. Revised by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, the Declaration of Independence was signed by our founding fathers and accepted by Congress on July 4, 1776.

In conclusion words from President Ronald Reagan:

“Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that the government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people. We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should.”

This 4th of July stop and take the time to teach our children what patriotism means. They are the future who will continue to keep America free.

GOD BLESS AMERICA