Many Americans celebrate the fourth day of July and participate in all the events that it entails, but a question of concern comes to mind. Do Americans really know why this day is celebrated?
Sure, one side of the brain relates firecrackers, firework shows, cook-outs, and ice cold beverages with the fourth of July as well as enjoying a long weekend. The long lived past year of events in this great country, seems reason enough to look into the only national holiday celebrating its true beginning the alpha United States of America.
In searching for the meaning of Independence Day, there are a few pertinent questions that arise. Why or whom are we seeking Independence from and how did it come to be celebrated on the fourth day of July?
A search revealed some fundamental facts. The original United Stated began more or less with the thirteen colonies. On the second day of July 1776 a closed vote of the Continental Congress declared that they would no longer be subject to tax by Britain, nor would any person owe any allegiance or any debt whether liberal or enslavement of any measure. As a result of the declaration, the process began in the form of a letter.
The chief author of the letter was Thomas Jefferson and addressed to King George III. The letter was actually an indictment against King George. In a nutshell, the intention of the letter laid out the idea for a few ground rules.
To paraphrase inclusive, the letter states that as a separate hemisphere and in fact a separate people, that no more debt shall be paid to Britain either civil or monetary, and that no American or foreigner shall inflict bondage to such imaginary debt. In a sense, any liberty to Britain was being abolished as well as any person in America trying to enforce such liberty.
This very letter gave way to the founding fathers of the United States drafting “The Declaration of Independence.” This was a long process resulting in many drafts. Some of the men involved in the process where John Adams, Samuel Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to name a few.
It is rumored that Jefferson was chosen to do the writing because he had the least number of enemies in congress. Jefferson referred to the Declaration of Independence as, “Expression of the American Mind”, and he used, “neither book or pamphlet,” yet relied on his own knowledge of philosophy as well as other sentiments.
As to be expected, the letter to King George did not go over without a fight and resulted in The American Revolution or often referred to as, “The U.S. War of Independence.” The War represented many issues. The main issue being Independence of British policy and after about eight years of fighting, the United States of America was formed.
There is much debate on the actual date of The Declaration of Independence. Much of the issue has to do with the difference in the Gregorian and Julian calendar, an applicable debate to many historic dates. Regardless of the exactness of the date, this great country has a national day celebrating Independence on July fourth every single year since 1776.
There are some interesting, or possibly pure coincidental facts, related to the fourth day. Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passed away on the exact same day July fourth, 1826, as well as James Monroe passing five years later on July fourth, 1831. All three of these men were founding fathers as well as presidents, the first two being original signers of the Declaration of Independence. Senator Daniel Webster wrote in John Adams and Thomas Jefferson’s eulogy, “They were proof that our country and its benefactors are objects of His [God’s] care.”
The celebration ceremonies for Independence Day are best described in a letter from John Adams to his wife Abigail. He wrote that Independence Day “ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty, and solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to another from this time forward forever more”, and the greatest of all being the “acts of devotion to God Almighty”.
When studying history of the U.S. and its original documents, it would appear to any American that the true intent of the Declaration was to break all ties to Britain, whether implied our embarked. Also, to extinguish all debt and liberty to any other country and become loyal and subservient to the United States of America’s government, constitution, and fellow countrymen.
However one chooses to honor Independence Day, just remember it is one of the most important holidays in U.S. history and most certainly will remain an important factor in the good ole USA. Try to get out and see how most of the USA celebrates this day.