Part of the declaration of independence reads; “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Independence Day, the 4th of July, is quickly approaching. Remembering why we celebrate is a duty for all Americans. It’s a day that honors the birthday of the United States of America, the sever from the British Empire and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is a day we celebrate by flying our flags, picnics, beaches, baseball, parades, and fireworks. But we should never forget why we celebrate this great day, and thus fully appreciate our nation’s birth without remembering those who gave all to make it happen, and those today who remain on point still protecting our independence.
In 1776, the Continental Congress turned to a brilliant 33 year old aristocrat from Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, who in a matter of days wrote one of the most prolific and celebrated works for human freedom and self government in the history of the world. He wrote with such incredible passion and eloquence about human liberty and promise of a democratic republic. The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, putting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom. It also signifies the primary meaning of this nation; a nation founded on moral principals.
The birth place of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution is Independence Hall, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Hall is part of American history for its part during the colonial era, the revolutionary era, the early republic, the elimination of slavery, the women's suffrage movement, the civil rights movement, and other important periods. It was graced with the Liberty Bell which tolled on many occasions to call the Assembly together and summon people for special events. However, the most significant calling was the reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776.
Enjoy our nations birthday, celebrate our freedom and remember that the 4th of July should be a tribute to the men and women, some who gave all, who deserve our thanks and gratitude for their sacrifice for our freedoms. America is the land of the free because of the brave. Our nation’s liberty is a testimony to those who have sacrificed to the call of duty and answered heroically and courageously. Freedom is NOT free, remember those bold and gallant souls of 1776 and transcend to those displaying their strength and valor against terror today, Americans have always been willing to pay the necessary price. The freedom we enjoy today has been paid for with generations of blood, sacrifice and sorrow. Your all-volunteer force, America’s greatest treasure, guarantee your quest of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Remember America’s sons and daughters during your flag flying, picnics, baseball, parades, and fireworks. We all know, they have seen some fireworks themselves. Francis Scott Key had it exactly right when he penned the Star Spangled Banner in 1814 – with “the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air.”
Thomas Jefferson told the world, ‘The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs. Freedom is America’s core. We must never deny it nor forsake it. Should the day come when we Americans remain silent in the face of armed aggression, then the cause of America, the cause of freedom, will have been lost and the great heart of this country will have been broken.”
