July 4th, 2009

It’s the 4th of July and if you are American, then today is YOUR day!  I always love this holiday because everyone tends to go all out for it.  We wear red, white and blue clothing with fun hats and jewelry.  We attend parades where floats and bikes are decorated in streamers, stars, glitter and paint.  And sometimes we even see local businesses or police and firemen riding their cars and horses through the streets.

July 4th, 1971

Then you can find activities all over your area from a backyard barbeque, to a local festival, to small town games and crafts.  But when the sun goes down, it’s all about the fireworks show.  And again, this lightening display takes many forms and sizes.  I’ve heard about a small town culled-o-sac who creates their own mini-parade and “street safe” fireworks show.  You can probably find a small professional fireworks show somewhere in your city or town.  Perhaps you live near a rather large fireworks show that can be seen for miles and miles and miles like the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks from the Hudson River.  But there are many cities and towns around this country where backyard fireworks are allowed and if you happen to live in one of those places, have fun and be careful.

July 4th, 1921

But let’s not forget the reason why we celebrate this glorious day.  Today is the day that the american colonies officially declared independence from Great Britain.  What you may not remember from your childhood history class is that in a closed session of Congress, a legal separation from Great Britain was proposed, voted on and approved on July 2, 1776.  They immediately looked to the recently written Declaration of Independence, which was revised over the next 2 days only to be officially signed by all of Congress on July 4th, 1776.  So, would it be safe to say that we were completely independent from Mother England on July 2nd?  Perhaps. After reading these words written by John Adams on July 3rd to his wife Abigail, I wonder if we should not be celebrating a few days early:

July 4th, 1899

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. 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.”

Signing of the Declaration of Independence

No matter what day we celebrate our nations birthday, we still celebrate in the manner that one of our founding fathers wanted to see for centuries to come.  So, as an American Citizen – born or not – break out those stars and stripes, those games and parades and light off the fireworks into the sky.  Today is Our Day!