Independence Day, better known in modern times as the 4th of July, is a grand and grand holiday in the United States of America and is often a favorite of young people who especially enjoy exciting, colorful and noisy traditional fireworks. The fireworks, however, are nothing more than a symbol of the meaning behind the celebration of independence on the 4th of July. The meaning behind the Fourth of July holiday, Independence Day, came about as a result of the valiant efforts and strong commitment of our American ancestors not too long ago.
Amazing changes and events have occurred since July 4, 1776, however, very important changes and dramatic events also occurred before July 4, 1776. Brave and restless people had uprooted their lives, left everything behind and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to come to this land where they sought freedoms and rights that were not available to them in their homeland. They formed settlements here and organized themselves into various groups of towns and colonies with their own local laws and rules, while still under the authority of the King of England. The country was being born and the ideals of how and what those freedoms would entail were resolved through controversy and the cooperative efforts of the different opinions of the day.
The vote for the United States to become independent from Great Britain actually occurred on July 2, 1776, by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Congress formally approved the document, the “Declaration of Independence” on July 4, 1776. This declaration was the final break with Great Britain and expressed the united vision of all the colonies to become independent. This act was the culmination of dramatic events in which early Americans faced a great deal of unrest that was accompanied by heartfelt and explosive incidents of rebellion in their efforts to free themselves from tyranny. They were undaunted as they sought to identify, solidify, and uphold the deep and precious freedoms and justices they had longed for so much that they were willing to commit their entire lives to the values they espoused.
However, this was only a starting point to establish freedom in this great land, as at that point in our history, the Revolutionary War to complete the breaking of our dependence on Great Britain had not yet taken place, in addition to the horrible practice of slavery. still existed, women were not privileged to enjoy most of these independent rights, and sadly, Native Americans were being displaced and uprooted as they lost their homelands to advancing American settlers. Since the momentous Declaration of Independence was signed and passed, our struggles to truly achieve equality and equal rights for all have succeeded with many victories, while the movements and progress continue to this day.
Although it seems like such a long time ago, if you put it in the perspective that using a moderate lifespan of only 60 years, that 232 years since 1776 is less than 4 lifetimes away from our present 2008. As we get closer to Another Fourth of July Holiday Celebration, it comes to my mind that our American peoples of all heritages and ethnic backgrounds can truly celebrate the tremendous progress that has been made over the course of these short 4 minutes and lifetimes. Our values and ideals are too precious to be lost through the fears and struggles we are experiencing today.
Our American ancestors successfully overcame the conflicts, fears, and bullies of their time to prevail in establishing this great country. We, as beneficiaries and inheritors of your magnificent efforts, must hold our heads high in expressing our gratitude and joy for the festive celebrations of Independence Day on July 4th that we live in such a great country, and we must encourage each other to work together . , hand in hand, to resolve our problems and differences in order to uphold the integrity and values on which the great and famous document, the Declaration of Independence, was founded.
A significant point of evidence to remind us that all these differences can be overcome is the cooperative and friendly relationship and camaraderie that the United States and Great Britain have enjoyed for many years. Those differences were so important to early Americans and Britain in 1776 that so many risked and lost their lives over those matters at that time in history. Today it seems strangely remote and unusual that the United States and Britain were embroiled in such a huge controversy, and yet it happened. Here is an important lesson that we, too, can resolve all our differences, and as we enjoy the Independence Day celebration of July 4th with magnificent fireworks, tasty barbecues, traditional hot dogs, fun parades, and other symbolic events that mark the freedom and the birth of our great country, we share a common purpose and belief that all people are created equal and that this country is founded on the belief in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.